Even before the pandemic, there were challenges to high streets, with businesses in retail and those offering functional services witnessing retail closure. This trend was increased by the pandemic.
The effects of the pandemic, coupled with the rise of online shopping, have meant that high streets need to adapt to new patterns of life, and with the potential for new model offering more social, public and experiential services.
Improvements to high streets are a big aspect of the Communities and Place pillar of UKSPF, creating more attractive areas to live, work and visit. Local government can use the fund to strive for high street improvement, as these are an essential part of the local economy and job creation – and can help to fulfil outcomes from the Supporting Businesses and People and Skills pillar of UKSPF.
Relationships between local government and businesses have always been essential to securing and sustaining a business voice to inform local policies and place-based decisions and guide action to enable businesses to thrive. The pandemic has accelerated and emphasised the importance of that relationship and has become even more central to maintaining quality place-shaping and vibrant local economies. With high streets becoming increasingly playing the role of social hubs, it’s vital that partnership working embraces all facets of society – public, private and community.
During the pandemic, many councils relied on local business support organisations to help to identify where funding from central government should be channelled to best deal with the volume and range of business need.
These networks and partnerships are essential to ensure that local businesses are supported, and local government knows where to target their funding to create an environment where business and job creation can thrive, and in doing so create better places to both live and work.
