Over 50 areas across the country – from Whitehaven in Cumbria to
Penzance in Cornwall – are going through to the second phase of a
multi-million fund that will transform their high streets and
make them fit for the future, High Streets Minister MP confirmed today (5 July
2019).
From improving transport and access into town centres to
converting retail units into new homes, the £675 million Future
High Streets Fund will help local leaders to reinvent their town
centres.
Those successful towns will now receive up to £150,000 of new
funding to work up detailed project proposals, based on their
initial plans. Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local
Government will work closely with them, focussing on those places
that have “shovel ready” projects where there might be
opportunities to accelerate these.
Prime Minister said:
Our high streets lie at the heart of local communities –
creating jobs, boosting the economy and helping small
businesses thrive.
But new technology and changes in the way we shop means they
also face growing challenges, so I’m delighted over 50 towns
will initially benefit from this scheme.
The funding will breathe new life into town centres and –
together with measures such as small business rate cuts and
opening up empty shops – will transform our high streets for
the future.
Speaking ahead of a visit to Morecambe town centre High Streets
Minister MP said:
High Streets are a crucial part of our local economies and
people care about them because they are also the centres of
their community.
But we recognise that changing consumer behaviour and the rise
of online shopping presents a significant challenge and that’s
why we are taking action to help them evolve.
Many of our high streets are successfully re-inventing
themselves and with these new plans now in development, local
leaders, who know their areas best, will be driving forward the
transformation of their town centres into further great success
stories.
The Future High Streets
Fund was launched in December 2018 as part of the
government’s plan for the high street.
Last month the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
together with the Architectural Heritage Fund and National
Lottery Heritage Fund announced a £62 million package of support
to breathe new life into historic high streets across the
country, to restore historic buildings, create new work spaces
and cultural venues. As part of the overall funding, £55 million
has been allocated from the Future High Streets Fund.
Today’s announcement comes during the second Great British High
Street Week, a week of activity to celebrate high streets up and
down the country and share the work that government is
undertaking to support them. This includes:
-
cutting small retailers’ business rates bills by a third,
building on over £13 billion of business rates support since
2016
-
trialling the ‘Open Doors’ scheme in Stoke-on-Trent,
Bradford, Rochford, Kettering and Slough where empty shops
will be opened up to community groups offering services to
the most vulnerable in our communities
-
on the recommendation of the government appointed High
Streets Expert Panel chaired by the hugely successful
entrepreneur Sir John has this week launched a Town
Centre Task Force to give local leaders expert advice and
support in implementing their plans to revitalise their local
high streets
-
enabling more areas to set up a Business Improvement District
to support business owners and local leaders in bringing
communities together to deliver additional local services and
transform commercial areas
The hotly contested Great British High Street
Awards, the national competition to find Britain’s best high
street are also part of this work.
The Awards not only celebrate the best high streets across the
nation, but also champion ‘Rising Stars’ – the most ambitious
high streets which are taking a lead and working together to
revive, adapt and diversify.
Crickhowell High Street on the edge of the Brecon Beacons is the
reigning champion, recognised for its community led initiatives
and strong presence of independent businesses.
A selection of 40 shortlisted finalists will be chosen by an
independent judging panel. Shortlisted high streets are eligible
to win up to £15,000 for their local community and the huge
response with over 200 entries highlighted the number of
retailers and community groups across the country working in
innovative ways keep town centres vibrant and strong.
Such has been the high level of interest in this year’s
competition we have decided to extend the deadline for entries
until Thursday July 11.
The full list of those towns going on to the next phase of the
Future High Streets Fund is available here:
Future High Streets Fund
shortlist (PDF, 92.8
KB, 2
pages)
Successfully shortlisted places will receive further guidance
later this month.
