William Eichler 27 September 2022

Toolkit to level up high street published

Toolkit to level up high street published image
Image: William Barton/Shutterstock.com.

Local authorities will have to prove ‘adept’ in making use of the tools and resources at their disposal if high streets are going to survive, think tank says.

Think tank Localis has today published a policy toolkit setting out how high streets across Kent and Medway are tackling a changing and challenging retail landscape.

Entitled Recovery and Renewal on the Kent High Street, the study sets out examples of how Kent’s local centres are adapting to maintain a sense of pride in place amid a fast-changing retail and cultural climate.

Drawing on experience from stakeholders across Kent’s local government and business community, the toolkit considers a number of factors local economies are contending with, including the balance between retail, leisure and other offers, success factors underpinning strong town centre performance and the role of local authorities in nurturing high streets.

The policy options covered by the study include placemaking, coping with post-pandemic changes to the high street, decarbonisation and sustainability, labour markets, diversity on the high street mix and how to overcome barriers to recovery.

Localis chief executive, Jonathan Werran, said: ‘Driving innovation in the centre of towns will be crucial to their short-term survival and long-term renaissance and ensuring residents feel a strong sense of pride in place.

‘Local government, as the key institutional player in the long-term management of high streets and town centres will, as this toolkit outlines, have to prove adept and adroit in making use of the tools and resources at its disposal.’

Cllr Roger Gough, leader of Kent County Council, said: ‘A vibrant high street or town centre is central to local growth and a sense of place – this first Localis policy toolkit offers an array of ideas and options showing how by working together nationally and locally we may achieve this.

‘For a national Government rightly intent on Levelling Up, the high street has taken on a new importance. This report offers a portfolio of local solutions and national policy ideas which could make levelling up on our high streets a reality.’

For more on high street renewal check out this feature in The MJ (£).

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay award pending)
Do you have a real passion for helping families to make positive changes for themselves and their children? This might be the right role for you!   WH Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Clerical Officer Receptionist

Durham County Council
Grade 3 £24,404 - £25,183 Pro Rata to hours worked Pay award pending
WHAT IS INVOLVED? We are looking to appoint a part time Clerical officer/Receptionist within Business Services to provide a professional, effective a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administration Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711 pro rata
Administration Assistant Grade 5    £25,584 - £27,711 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31 December 2025 37 hours per week, Te Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
Support Assistant Grade 1 £24,027 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31st October 2026 Part Time, 32.5 hours Mon - Fri 9am -4pm Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lecturer in Foundation Learning -Maths, English and Digital

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 pro rata for part-time term time working PAY AWARD PENDING
The DurhamLearn Foundation Learning programme area delivers Digital Skills, English and Maths Functional Skills.   An opportunity has arisen for a Lec Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner