29 Nov A big week for high streets
It was a big week for high streets this week with the conclusion of the High Streets Task Force (HSTF) and the publication of the Lords Report.
High Streets Task Force: IPM Reflects on Five Years of Revitalising England’s High Streets
At an event in Manchester hosted by the Institute of Place Management key findings from the HSTF included:
- The Task Force has helped to overcome the negative narrative around high streets
- Research has shaped policy forming an evidence base rather than a narrative one
- It’s not always about spending money but a lot can be achieved by working with local volunteers and thinking outside the box to start making changes
- Relationships and networks are often more important (and can deliver change quicker) than formal structures
- Action wins over strategy in cases where things can’t wait
- In some cases the biggest value was derived from the expert acting as a critical friend to the local authority – conveying that things were not as bad as they thought and bringing examples from other places
In the panel discussion, it was interesting to hear that over half of high streets in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have a library on them conveying how important they are for footfall given their diverse users.
There were some great examples of building in pride in place with case studies from Bolsover (Derbyshire) where schoolchildren are given a book about the town and in Grimsby where two local youth workers made a film for free.
There’s been no announcement on a new HSTF-style programme but there is broad agreement that any future model would need to allocate more time to fewer places.
Lords Report – Life beyond retail?
On the same day, The Built Environment Committee has published its report, ‘High Streets: Life beyond retail?’, following its inquiry into high streets in towns and small cities.
Amongst some, there was mock disappointment that a question mark had been added after retail but that aside the report was seen as reflecting the key learnings and research from HSTF and the wide range of people and organisations who gave evidence.
Key points
High street reinvention is a team effort and not down to one person or organisation alone. We spend a lot of time on projects trying to ensure that the local authority is not holding responsibility for all of the project – actions needs to be allocated to many
New approaches/buildings/offers need to be embraced by local people rather than forced on them whether that’s via consultation, engagement or more informally asking what they think.
Markets and events are great options for experimentation alongside pop-up, meanwhile etc
- Amenities are important – parks, toilets, parking. Parking is so emotive and needs to be in the right place for those who need it whether that’s people with access needs, workers or deliveries but we also need a more mature debate on free parking and parking in front of every shop not being the magic formula that will “save the high street”
- Make everyone feel safe and welcome across the day and evening (and ensure they can get home) which takes in lighting, transport (and amenities for late night workers) and much more
It’s not a one size fits all approach and many places do not need another report; they need help to mobilise and make change happen. We hope that the HSTF and Lords reports help to convey this.
Our director, Diane Cunningham, was an appointed expert to the High Streets Task Force between 2019 and 2024.
If you’d like to discuss how to bring change to your town centre or implement any of the recommended approaches across the two reports, contact us for a chat.