What’s emerging across the UK is something far more interesting than the old retail model.
High streets are becoming places where commerce, community and creativity intersect. Alongside shops, we’re seeing co-working spaces, sport, food concepts, social enterprises, culture, wellbeing and services all playing a role in bringing people into town centres.
Many of the most exciting ideas aren’t coming from traditional retail at all. They’re coming from people who see the high street as civic infrastructure - places that can tackle loneliness, support local businesses, create opportunities for young people and build pride in place.
That’s the narrative HighStreetPositives (HSP), founded by Laura Harris, is working to change - shining a light on what’s working across the UK’s towns and cities and connecting people who are building thriving places.
In March HSP brought together a brilliant group of people who are actively reimagining the high street.
On Wednesday 11 March (11am–1pm), the High Street Innovation & Opportunity webinar showcased practical ideas and real experiences already driving footfall, investment and new life into town centres.
Speakers included:
Chris Brook-Carter (CEO, Retail Trust) – how valuing retail employees helps create vibrant high streets.
Wayne Hemingway MBE (Charity Super.Mkt) – activating empty units and placemaking with purpose.
Rik Bennett (Padel Parx) – bringing sport and social energy into town centres.
Esther Worboys FIPM (Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment (PLACE)) – the social value of markets, health and pride in place.
Freddie Fforde (Patch ) – co-working spaces that drive footfall and community.
Carly Trisk-Grove (The Public Plate) – public restaurants as civic food infrastructure.
Deborah Alma (Poetry Pharmacy) – blending creativity, retail and wellbeing.
Susannah Stewart (Salty Olive Wokingham / WellWork) – navigating hospitality and building resilience.
Sid Hubbard (Timpson Group) – thriving through culture, service and community focus.
Cheryl Calverley & Paul Billingsley (MOOT) – creating sustainable teen spaces on the high street.
The session was moderated by Iain Nicholson, Founder of The Vacant Shops Academy.
This wasn't theory. These are people doing the work - filling empty units, creating new models and attracting new audiences to town centres.
If you like the sound of this kind of content and you work in local government, BIDs, retail, hospitality, property or placemaking - or simply care about the future of town centres - the High Street Positives Community is well worth joining.
Find out more here: https://highstreetpositives.com/
Because the future of the high street isn’t something that just happens to us.
It’s something we build together.
We Are Acuity are supporters of the HSP community because it focuses on something we don’t hear enough about - what’s actually working on our high streets.