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High Streets Task Force has today launched a range of support
for high streets in England
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Support includes free access to cutting-edge research and
training
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Government also confirms regeneration expert Mark Robinson
has been appointed Chair of the Task Force Board
A package of support to help high streets to get back on their
feet has been launched today (12 June 2020), the government has
announced, ahead of shops reopening from 15 June.
The High Streets Task Force will provide access to cutting-edge
tools, training, information and advice for high streets across
England as part of the government’s efforts to get shops back in
business safely from 15 June.
This support is open to local councils and all organisations
involved with high streets and will include free access to online
training programmes, webinars, data and intelligence on topics
including recovery planning and coordination, public space and
place marketing.
The support will form one part of the Task Force’s 4-year
programme which will focus on the long-term transformation of
town and city centres and helping communities reimagine and
revitalise their high streets.
The Task Force has also today confirmed Mark Robinson, co-founder
of Ellandi and leading investor in regional town centres, has
been appointed as the Chair of the Task Force Board.
The new Board will guide the work of the Task Force and act as a
national voice for high streets, supporting them to transform
town and city centres.
High Streets Minister said:
The re-opening of our high streets will be a crucial part of
kick-starting our economic recovery and restarting town life
That is why I welcome the appointment of Mark Robinson to head
up the High Streets Task Force. I know that Mark will be a
strong voice for ensuring that local businesses get the support
they need to reopen safely in the coming weeks.
Combined with our £50 million Reopening High Streets Safely
Fund, the work of the Task Force will support our high streets
through this challenging time and ensure they have the tools
they need to get back on their feet.
Mark Robinson, Chair of the Task Force, said:
I am delighted and honoured to be asked to lead this
initiative. No-one underestimates the challenges to our
town centres, but this long-term initiative, running until
2024, shows the government’s commitment to our towns and the
transformation required. I look forward to making change
happen.
The Task Force has already provided invaluable advice to town
centre stakeholders in the current crisis and we will continue
to build capacity, promoting best practice, led by research and
evidenced by data. The Task Force will provide a rallying point
for all of the people who care about our high streets and
advocate the change that is needed.
The announcement follows the opening of the government’s £50
million Reopening High Streets
Safely Fund which will support local councils to safely
reopen their high streets and other commercial areas.
Mark Robinson is an award-winning entrepreneur and investor who
co-founded the developer Ellandi in 2008 where he raised over
£1.5 billion to invest in more than 30 communities across the UK.
Gary Maddock, Town Centre Manager working to help develop St
Helens, Merseyside, said:
The coronavirus crisis is forcing us to think and act
differently. In St Helens, we are developing our recovery plan
working alongside partners, including those from across the
Liverpool City Region, using the High Streets Task Force
COVID-19 Recovery Framework.
From a position of great uncertainty, the Framework and Task
Force resources immediately made sense. Their help is
incredibly valuable in plotting a course for the crisis
recovery and longer-term transformation of our high streets.
Over the next 4 years, the Task Force will work with over 100
towns and cities to provide dedicated expert support, mentoring,
guidance and access to data and intelligence.
Register your interest in support at: https://www.highstreetstaskforce.org.uk/
The £50 million Fund is supported by the England European
Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and
Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of
Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing
Authority for European Regional Development Fund.
The Task Force and its Sector Leaders Group and Professional
Research and Data Group have already started informing government
on high street trends and helping to support thinking on impact
of COVID-19.
The Task Force has been conducting research and consultation with
place leaders to develop a Framework for Recovery. This is
already being taken forward by some local councils and
partnerships around the country and is available to download from
the High Streets Task Force
website.
