An independent trust has pioneered a new community-based scheme that could transform high streets in Britain.
Power to Change, an independent trust that works to strengthen communities, have announced they have helped to fund a new pilot project which was designed to help regenerate high streets and town centres across England.
Community Improvement Districts (CIDs), which is a community-led approach, work to help form local partnerships between residents, high street stakeholders and local authorities who can then work together to create a place they can all enjoy.
According to new research by Sheffield Hallam University, there is a strong public interest and empathy towards high streets and town centres in England. During the Covid-19 pandemic areas outside that were once filled with people and activities became deserted and unkept. However, as the world has opened back up, these spaces can now be re-made into areas people want to spend time in again.
In a new report, which was released yesterday, the current success of the CIDs pilots, which have taken place in London, Sunderland, Ipswich, Stretford, and Wolverton, have been outlined. All of the schemes received £20,000 of funding from Power to Change, and London pilots were awarded further funding from the Mayor of London through the High Streets for All Challenge.
Learnings and recommendations from the pilot programme highlight the importance of community leadership and engagement in achieving successful high street regeneration, but the report also emphasises the need to ensure the right funding and support to facilitate community leadership and engagement in high street regeneration.
Key takeaways from the report include community leadership being the key to achieving a successful high street renovation, but emphasis is also needed on funding.
One example of how one of the pilot projects is being used to uplift an area, is in London. Kilburn, an area situated in the capital city, has launched CID activities that are currently centred on building new partnerships to engage the public. Local authorities empowered residents to facilitate walkabouts and public meetings as trained ‘community activators’.
Additionally, the ‘One Kilburn’ partnership is also working with Camden Library and the social enterprise, Library of Things, to introduce a service where residents can rent out items they might not otherwise be able to afford such as DIY tools, sewing machines and sound systems.
Jules Pipe CBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, said: ‘High streets are the backbone of London and vital to the capital’s communities, economy, and future. Local communities were also key to London’s response to the pandemic, providing vital mutual aid very quickly.
‘It’s important that we build on the lessons that emerged, particularly the importance of local voices being included in conversations on the future of London’s high streets and town centres. The Mayor’s High Streets for All programme supports this, fostering local partnerships that promote collaboration between local authorities, business, anchor institutions and local community representatives.
‘We’re proud to be working alongside Power to Change as part of a national pilot to test the ‘Community Improvement District’ concept and better understand how local communities can play an effective and meaningful role in community-led regeneration across London.’
Image: Fons Heijnsbroek