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HOME 5 Our work 5 Campaigns 5 Take Back the High Street
The UK’s highstreets, the beating hearts of our communities,have reached a critical tipping point.
Three decades of decline because of the growth of out-of-town retail; the rise of megastores; and more recently a seismic shift towards online shopping, has left the high street vulnerable. Over reliant on retail, the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the decline.
We are perilously close to losing these community spaces that are vital to local economies, community cohesion, civic pride, cultural identity, and local distinctiveness.
A new vision for our high streets is urgently needed. We argue that understanding the needs of local communities, giving them greater power and ownership, and enabling diversification of our high streets is essential to their survival.
We are calling for
- Government to help establish a High Street Buyout Fund designed to act rapidly to purchase important empty high street buildings as they come up for sale, to hold until communities are ready to take them on long term.
- Government to create a powerful Community Right to Buy that will give communities priority rights to buy high street buildings in which they have registered an interest, and a generous window of opportunity to raise the funds necessary to meet the price.
- Expansion of Community Improvement Districts providing greater opportunity for communities, businesses and local government to work together to deliver strategically for neighbourhoods.
Our
high
streets
COMMUNITY-POWERED HIGH STREETS: HOW COMMUNITY BUSINESSES WILL BUILD TOWN CENTRES FIT FOR THE FUTURE
This new Take Back The High Street report by Power to change explores the reasons why high street vacancy rates have increased and set out the policy change needed for community-led regeneration of our high streets.
This new report warns of rising persistent vacancy rates, discusses the challenges facing high streets and sets out clear policy recommendations for government to help create community-led high streets of the future.
Download report
More research & reports
Community businesses and high streets: 'Taking back' and leading forward
This report, from the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University, takes a strategic look at the role community businesses can play in addressing the challenges of UK high streets. It considers how community businesses can succeed in high streets, what they can contribute, and what support they need to make a long-term difference to restore ‘pride in place’ in struggling town centres.
Download report
Community Improvement Districts: What we've learnt so far
The idea of CIDs is now being tested in seven locations in England. The aim of this pilot work is to explore exactly what a CID might be when the theory is translated into practice, how CIDs develop and operate, how they overcome barriers and challenges, and how the idea of CIDs fits within the national policy context. This report summarises emerging learning from the first phase of the CID programme, and outlines key questions for the next phase of research.
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Why now is the time for a High Street Buyout Fund
This paper puts forward the concept of a High Street Buyout Fund – an agile fund which will purchase high street buildings and transfer these into community management and ownership. It is borne out of the challenges many community businesses have faced in trying to get a foot on the high street property ladder and built on the evidence of the important role community owned spaces play in maintaining the social and economic vibrancy of a place.
Download report
A high street revolution
This report explores the role that private sector developers can play in supporting greater community involvement on our high streets and in our town centres, aiming to draw out lessons for private developers. It explores what conditions would enable private developers to support community involvement more boldly, and the opportunities for developers to proactively support the emergence of a high-quality pipeline of community businesses in the regeneration of our high streets.
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Saving the high street: the community takeover
This working paper looks at examples of community businesses operating in high street or town centre locations across the UK and draws out lessons from their experience. It aims to help local communities, local government and national policymakers better understand the potential role of community business in supporting the regeneration of high streets.
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Community Improvement Districts: a discussion paper
This paper explores the emerging concept of Community Improvement Districts (CIDs), defined as bodies which provide opportunities for community stakeholders to participate in operational and strategic decision-making for their neighbourhoods. This paper considers the various models, contexts and risk factors to inform discussion of CIDs.
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Take Back the High Street: putting communities in charge of their own town centres
This report explores how high streets have declined and puts forward our recommendations for greater community ownership.
Download report
News & views from the high street
The latest news and blogs on all things high streets.
Community led approaches are breathing new life into Britain's high streets
...
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Visiting community powered places with Platform Places
Power to Change visits some of the brilliant community businesses and social enterprises driving change in their communities in Liverpool and the Wirral....
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Unlock your high street buildings with a social value lease
Local communities often have amazing ideas for town centre buildings, but struggle to get affordable, secure access. Here are some practical steps and free templates for reviving vacant buildings in partnership with asset...
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See more
Our high streets,
our way
The latest case studies from communities breathing life back into their high streets.
The Anstice
Former working men’s club turned proud community hub....
read more
Southern Maltings: Ware Arts Centre
Bustling arts centre in building that stretches back to...
read more
Future Yard
A brand new community venue in one of the country’s most deprived wards exists as a template for how contemporary music venues can be run while proudly proclaiming: The Future is...
read more
See more
Email your MP
Send an email in support of the campaign. Make sure you include your address so your MP knows you’re a constituent. Check who your MP is here.
Download template
Write your MP
Write a letter in support of the campaign. Make sure you include your address so your MP knows you’re a constituent!
Download template
Support on social media
Show your support for the high street by sharing these suggested posts on social media.
What is community business?
Impact of community business
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