This new report warns of rising persistent vacancy rates, discusses the challenges facing high streets and sets out clear policy recommendations for government to help create community-led high streets of the future.
The report presents data on the ‘High Street Warning Lights’ – the 100 English towns with the greatest increase in the persistent vacancy rate since 2015 – and the picture of property ownership in these places. It also provides a snapshot of expert opinion on the state of the high street as well as comparative analysis of international examples of initiatives to drive high street renewal, which inform our policy recommendations for the next government to create community-powered high streets.