A thriving civic high street brings people together and supports a vibrant local economy. Communities are already showing what’s possible, but access to space remains a major barrier. By learning alongside community businesses seeking to unlock high street premises, we’ve identified what needs to change to bring a lively, inclusive civic high street to life.
Putting communities at the centre of new High Street Innovation Partnerships
The government has announced over £300m to fund High Street Innovation Partnerships. Learning from our Community Led High Street Innovators projects demonstrate what communities can offer to deliver renewed, civic high streets.
The government needs a new high streets strategy. Here’s what it should do.
Britain’s high streets are in visible decline, and the government needs a strategy that sets out a bold new vision. By addressing the physical, economic and structural challenges holding high streets back, ministers can restore public confidence and help these vital civic spaces thrive again.
You’re invited to dinner: The unlikely allies reimagining our high streets
Platform Places shows how community leaders, local business owners, asset owners and councils can gather—not as adversaries, but as co-creators of a shared future. In this essay, co-founder, Bex Trevalyan, explores how grassroots collaboration and imaginative placemaking are breathing new life into Britain’s high streets.
Christmas can’t save the department store – but communities can
Our new report, ‘Department stories’ captures how communities across England are reimagining former department stores to meet local needs and reinvigorate their high streets.
Private space, public good – the private sector and social infrastructure
Our new report shows that by collaborating with communities, the private sector can create vibrant spaces for community connection that have broad social and economic impact.
Power to Change’s plan to take back the high street
The Labour Party has recently published its plan to save the high street. But what’s missing, and how can Labour drive a community powered revolution on our high streets?
Ailbhe McNabola writes about why the owners of private buildings and land may look to provide space for communities – and why those who wish to empower communities should care about this too.
New project on privately-owned social infrastructure
When it comes to regenerating our town centres, Community Improvement Districts aim to amplify the voices of community led organisations and residents, bringing them into partnership with businesses, councils and property owners, says Chris Neath.
Space for community: strengthening our social infrastructure
The social fabric of a community is important for weathering challenging times. How can government support the growth of important community spaces for people to gather and meet?
New research explores solutions for building resilient communities and tackling geographic inequalities
A new report by the British Academy and Power to Change explores how social infrastructure contributes to communities’ wellbeing, helps develop their resilience and tackles deepening geographic inequalities.
The future of civil society infrastructure funding
Common Vision's ‘Futures Playbook’ explores how building and resourcing infrastructure can support civil society to be impactful, resilient and adaptive in the future.
With the launch of two reports calling on government to put communities in the lead and invest in social infrastructure in order to achieve levelling up, Ailbhe McNabola reflects on the findings and what needs to happen next.
