“Reasons to be cheerful, part (forty) three.”
…to slightly adjust that 80’s lyric.
So reflecting on 3 successive weeks out & about in 5 locations – three town centres, two cities – visiting existing and new tackling #highstreet vacancy commissions…
…and seeing enough HighStreetPositives to fill a Laura Harris newsletter.
It remains challenging for sure and there’s much to do. Some of the policy and regulations adjusts we listed in our ‘manifesto’ would help.
But overall headed home in good spirits…
- New indie and brand #retail or #hospitality openings, with more in the pipeline;
- Existing businesses including some very long established still looking great;
- Encouraging examples of uses from our alternative / additional list: arts & crafts, creative, culture, community, history & heritage, leisure, education, health and health & wellbeing taking on spaces;
- Awesome buildings and attractive parks that can be a draw in themselves;
- Stunning wall art and intriguing #streetart installations;
…and perhaps most of all, really good people committed to making their place the best it can be, including of particular interest to us, understanding how reducing empty unit numbers and improving the mix of uses can contribute to that, and getting on the case to make it happen.
We now have a bunch of desk time to run ‘audit, engage’ on the 4 new locations to help build a clear picture of their vacancy challenge.
But for now here’s to places, #placemaking and all that good stuff going on.
As ever it would be great to hear #HighStreetPositives from your place too…
