Business representatives from high streets across Britain have come together to launch High Streets UK. The aim of the group is to tackle a range of issues, from the rise of retail crime and anti-social behaviour, to addressing “an unwieldy business rates system and rigid planning laws”.
Founding members of High Streets UK include Business Improvement Districts (BID) from Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Leeds and London. Collectively the BIDs represent more than 5,000 businesses.
The group was launched at an event in London on Tuesday 14 January and members will meet quarterly to share learnings and discuss solutions to common challenges faced by high streets across the country.
Dee Corsi, chair of High Streets UK and CEO of New West End Company, said: “We know that thriving, flagship high streets can be powerful drivers of economic growth and employment, with the positive halo effects felt across the country. And, with the right policy environment, these destinations can contribute much more than just economic growth; they can be places where communities congregate, business flourish, and international investment flows.”
“I look forward to working with colleagues across the country to develop new ideas and solutions that will secure the future success of our nation’s flagship high streets and the economic, social, and cultural impact they have,” she added.
The core objectives will be to develop programmes and policy recommendations “to enable flagship UK high streets to drive local and national growth, aligning with the government’s focus on creating a productive and sustainable economy”, said a statement from High Streets UK.
“The group will develop policy solutions to common challenges facing flagship high streets, including business rates, public safety and planning.”
