Revitalization of Britain's high streets is being spearheaded by community-driven efforts
Yesterday, a new report was released, highlighting the success of pilot projects aimed at renewing high streets and town centres across England. One of these projects, funded by the Mayor of London, is taking place in Kilburn, London.
The Mayor's High Streets for All programme in London, in collaboration with Power to Change, is testing the 'Community Improvement District' (CID) concept as part of a national copilot. This community-led approach encourages local partnerships and empowers residents to play an active role in the regeneration of their high streets.
In Kilburn, the focus is on building new partnerships to engage the public. The 'One Kilburn' partnership, for instance, is collaborating with Camden Library and the social enterprise, Library of Things, to offer a service that allows residents to rent out items like DIY tools, sewing machines, and sound systems.
Local authorities in Kilburn have also empowered residents to act as 'community activators' for walkabouts and public meetings. This grassroots approach is a key takeaway from the report, which emphasises the importance of community leadership and engagement in achieving successful high street regeneration.
The pilot project in Kilburn is part of the High Streets for All Challenge, for which the London copilot received additional funding from the Mayor of London. Each project received £20,000 of funding from Power to Change, with London copilot receiving further funding from the Mayor of London through the High Streets for All Challenge.
Jules Pipe CBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, stated that high streets are crucial to London's communities, economy, and future. He also emphasised the importance of including local voices in conversations about the future of London's high streets and town centres.
The success of the CIDs pilots, which have taken place in London, Sunderland, Ipswich, Stretford, and Wolverton, has been outlined in the report. It also highlights the need for ensuring the right funding and support to facilitate community leadership and engagement in high street regeneration.
According to new research by Sheffield Hallam University, there is a strong public interest and empathy towards high streets and town centres in England. This public support, combined with the success of community-led regeneration projects, bodes well for the future of England's high streets.
The report comes at a time when local communities have shown their resilience and resourcefulness in response to the pandemic. Jules Pipe CBE mentioned London's response to the pandemic, highlighting the key role local communities played in providing mutual aid.
The organisation that funded the new pilot project for the renewal of high streets and town centres across England is Power to Change, an independent trust. Meanwhile, the UK government's Future High Streets Fund has also provided additional funding for one of the London copilot projects.
In conclusion, the report and the ongoing pilot projects underscore the potential of community-led regeneration in revitalising England's high streets and town centres. With the right support and funding, these initiatives could play a significant role in shaping the future of these vital community spaces.
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