Kentish Express Ashford & District
Creative blueprint for reviving high streets
Our high streets could be set for the most radical shake-up in their history in order to revitalise our town centres.
And to do so, they should be driven by the cultural and creative sectors to switch on a new economy to off-set the decline seen over many recent years.
Now a new report, Creative High Streets, has been published which aims to “drive true change and prosperity for local areas”.
Compiled by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) and Arts Council England the report provides guidance on the “clear, decisive action that can be taken by the cultural and creative sector to breathe new life into our high streets and kickstart a whole new economy for towns”.
It includes suggestions to
“reconfigure” high streets to the new reality and usher in a different use of space - particularly those left by departing retailers - and that Government funding is there to support it.
The report says: “The current funding pipeline is
unprecedented in terms of its priority for cultural infrastructure. The Government’s Levelling Up Fund Prospectus identifies a total of £4.8bn to be invested over the coming years to support town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects, and cultural and heritage assets across the country.
“The role cultural infrastructure and cultural uses can play in rejuvenating places, leading to ‘positive economic and social outcomes at a local level’ is explicitly acknowledged.”
SELEP deputy chair, Sarah Dance, said: “Enabling and developing strategies for high street recovery has never been more important.
“This report presents a detailed evidence base and clear call to action for all stakeholders to take advantage of the growth opportunity for the creative sector in our high streets. Our ambition is for this report to be a starting point for sustained action, leading to further funding opportunities and projects, and promoting the wider strategic ambitions of SELEP.”