So, like, everyone is freaking out about how high streets are slowly turning into ghost towns, right? But hold up, the London Assembly economy committee is here to drop some truth bombs and tell you that high streets are not actually dying. Chair Marina Ahmad straight up said, “Don’t believe this nonsense about the high streets dying. They are not.”
But let’s be real, high streets are definitely going through some changes. The rise of online shopping, the lingering effects of the pandemic, and the never-ending struggle of living costs are all shaking things up. According to the report, high streets are evolving into places where you do stuff, not just buy stuff. Retail is taking a back seat to service-oriented businesses.
Now, Sir Sadiq Khan is throwing down £20 million to help out London’s high streets as part of the London Growth Plan. The report dives into how this cash can support the transition to high streets being more than just shopping spots. It’s all about creating a vibe where the community gets involved, not just focusing on business interests.
The report suggests City Hall should get artsy with an “Art on the High Street” program, bring in some cool public art installations and murals. They also want to keep high streets safe by supporting neighborhood policing, step up waste management, and give councils the power to take over and auction off leases on empty units.
Oh, and they’re all about using empty sites for cool stuff in the meantime. The report launch went down at Blue House Yard, a spot in Wood Green that used to be a boring old car park. Thanks to City Hall and council moolah, it’s now a rad space with affordable workshops, studios, shops, entertainment spots, markets, cafes, and bars. Shoutout to Meanwhile Space for making it happen.
Ruth Gordon, a big shot at the council, gave props to the project for boosting Haringey’s creative scene. She also mentioned other dope initiatives in the area, like an NHS center, a community music spot, and a community garden. All funded by City Hall, of course.
But here’s the kicker, the real challenge for the Mayor is to make sure the community has a say in the future of high streets. Ahmad is all about “genuine community engagement” when it comes to revamping these spots. High streets ain’t just for big retailers anymore, it’s about the people and community ownership.
The report calls for communities to have a bigger say in what goes down on their high streets. They want to see new “Community Improvement District” (CID) schemes pop up, where locals, businesses, and community groups can steer the ship. It’s all about getting everyone involved in shaping the direction of their high streets.
The Mayor should take notes from test runs of CID schemes in Wood Green and Kilburn and roll out new platforms to include local communities in the high street makeover. They’re talking formal consultations, community forums, and maybe even letting people vote on certain projects. High streets are all about the community, after all.
In another report dropped this week, the London Assembly’s planning and regeneration committee is also pushing for “community voices” to be heard in planning decisions. They want new policies added to the Mayor’s London Plan to give props to long-standing businesses that bring serious value to the city’s markets and railway arches. Andrew Boff, the committee chair, sees these spots as key spaces for communities to come together, flex their creative muscles, and grow.
So, it looks like high streets are in for a major glow-up, with the community taking the wheel. Let’s see how this all plays out, shall we?
