A new coalition of government, retailers and business leaders has pledged to create 3,000 new jobs on UK high streets, as well as boost footfall and slash vacancy rates.
The new Healthy High Streets campaign was launched this week by high streets minister Brandon Lewis. It is being co-ordinated by Business in the Community and is currently backed by The Co-operative Group, M&S and Boots, as well as leading bank Santander.
The campaign will initially focus on 100 towns, which will receive a new support package aimed at increasing footfall by 10% and reducing the number of empty units by 20% over the next three years. Measures include retailers handing over empty properties for new shops, providing management support and subsidising parking and loyalty schemes.
Those involved claimed the initiative was the best way to build on the review carried out by high street guru Mary Portas as it had the support of some of the UK’s biggest businesses.
The four initial backers have a combined total of 9,000 branches across the country and BITC is understood to be in talks with other companies including John Lewis, JD Wetherspoon and Wilkinson.
“I think this is a moment in time where all the talk about changing the high street can be turned into action,” said Boots UK stores director Karl Crane.
Robin Foale, MD for business banking at Santander, added: “This is taking the Portas work to a different level.”
Portas told The Grocer: “I’ve always argued that the big businesses have a huge role to play in the revival of our high streets and so I’m delighted BITC have taken this initiative, building in many ways on the outcome of the original Portas Pilot experiment.”
Analysis: Big business steps in to steer high street rescue mission
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