Saving Britain’s High Streets

Never mind the get-together in Cannes this week – today a special summit is taking place in Birmingham designed to address the regeneration of UK High Streets and town centres. The Saving Britain’s High Streets gathering brings together retailers, trade associations, local authorities and the national government.

Bodies such as the British Property Federation, British Retail Consortium and the British Council of Shopping Centres are taking part, discussing what makes a great High Street and how best to go about rejuvenating the nation’s town centres.

CABE chairman Paul Finch points out that “The well-being of our towns and cities, especially the smaller ones, is intimately linked to the vibrancy and amenity of their centres. This in turn is dependent on a successful retail offer, which is why so many major town centre improvements have been led by retail development.”

The summit is the culmination of a print campaign in Retail Week, which includes a Manifesto for the High Street, to which the writers are asking for comments and contributions.