Minister for Devolution, Faith and Communities (): High streets are the
heart of our communities - they should be vibrant centres where
people come together, where local businesses take root and
flourish, and a source of pride in place. But too many people
tell us that their high streets no longer feel like the thriving
centres they once were. They see boarded-up shops, dwindling
footfall, and the loss of cherished local businesses. We have
listened, and are taking decisive action to reverse this trend.
I can confirm that the upcoming High Streets Strategy will be
backed by at least £150 million of support to help turn the tide
on the high streets most in need. This targeted investment will
be used to tackle the challenges people care about most. It will
improve neglected shopfronts, bring empty units back into use,
and restore pride in local high streets. The funding will be
prioritised for areas that have felt the harshest impact of high
street decline.
This announcement builds on the Chancellor's recent measures to
support hospitality and celebrate the essential role of British
pubs in high street life. These measures form part of our broader
commitment to a new High Streets Strategy that will tackle the
structural challenges facing retail, leisure, and hospitality
businesses. People care about their local businesses, and we know
these sectors are vital drivers of local economies. That is why
we will work closely with industry to ensure the Strategy
reflects their needs and unlocks long term growth.
The new investment will complement our flagship Pride in Place
Programme, a transformative package of up to £5 billion that puts
power and resources directly into the hands of local communities.
People want more control over what happens in their town centres
– and we are giving them that control. Through Pride in Place,
local people are shaping regeneration projects, deciding how
investment is spent and creating thriving places. Together, these
initiatives represent a long term plan to give communities
control and restore pride, opportunity, and economic resilience
across the country.
New funding is just one part of the picture. We are already
taking steps to support vibrant high streets and respond to the
problems people have told us matter most. This includes
introducing new tools to repurpose and reimagine high street
property including High Street Rental Auction and Community Right
to Buy; consulting on new national planning policies to support
town centre vitality; cutting red tape with licensing reform; and
tackling the proliferation of betting shops, ensuring our high
streets remain welcoming and diverse.
This is the beginning of a turning point for high streets across
England. By combining targeted funding, stronger local powers,
support for businesses, and community driven regeneration, we
will breathe new life into town centres and strengthen the sense
of pride people feel in the places they call home.
I will bring further updates as we develop our High Streets
Strategy in the coming months.
