What have we learnt about maximising the successes from injections of funding into town centres over recent years? How might this learning help in building ‘hope’ on our High Streets by improving people’s experiences and perceptions of places? Here we share our expertise and experience on how to get the most from new policy programmes…
The ‘Hope on the High Street’ report published in October 2026 by Government, is a clear ‘position statement…I like its focus on six pillars…and the idea that there are different types of neighbourhood, town or city centres. Is it a strategy for bringing about change, though? And is it even solely about High Streets? And…
With discussion often focused on the carrot and stick approach of High Street Rental Auctions, we look at the two aspects side-by-side. With procedures and funding well documented for the formalities of Rental Auctions, we question what are the equivalents for the softer, persuasive side. Pilot approach receives cash boost High Street Rental Auctions (HSRAs)…
How much of national policy and local practice in revitalising neighbourhoods, town and city centres comes down to achieving a simple aim of …’getting more smiling faces in places’? At the People & Places Partnership, we have adopted this simple mantra to provide a focus for our work with councils and communities and commercial interests. …
The interesting aspect of the recent announcement for the Visitor Levy in England, is not the decision made that it is going ahead -that’s been a foregone conclusion since last year’s Budget. The key decisions are the ones still to be made by Strategic Authorities about how they will be making the most of the…
If you are looking to play a part in revitalising your neighbourhood, town or city centre, there are two salient principles that you need to have in mind from the outset. They are demonstrated in this tale of revitalising two towns in North Tyneside. Based on two underlying principles ONE: It is an often-said truism,…
We realise that these are uncertain times for communities faced by what seems an ever-deepening set of issues and institutional uncertainty with the roll-out of devolution and local government reorganisation. At the national level, there seems to be increasing mention of the importance of ‘place’ and murmurings about community empowerment, without a readily available route…
How does where we live affect how healthy we are? This extended article looks at the opportunities for creating healthier places through community-based partnerships that combine public health and care aims. It also considers what, if any, might be the similarities and overlaps with wider place-based, partnership approaches to improving local quality of life. Overlapping…
Imagine refurbished, heritage buildings on your high street that are owned and occupied by community enterprises, provide important services, attract footfall and contribute proactively to the wider reshaping and image of your town or city centre. That is the prospect that the Government is looking to support through recent legislation in the English Devolution and…
A new report published by Power to Change provides valuable insights in to the potential of community-owned businesses to take a widespread leadership role in the multi-purpose revitalisation of town and city centres. The-new-high-street-playbook gives a detailed account of “community-led regeneration in action” through sharing analysis of the many successes -and some shortcomings- of five community…