What we do

Taking back the high street

The UK’s high streets are the beating hearts of our communities. But they’ve reached a tipping point. 

Many of our high streets are in decline. The demise of department stores and the rise of out-of-town and online retail have changed how we shop.  Each year, more shuttered buildings sit empty on our high streets. They are left this way by distant owners without a stake in the local community, and many stay vacant for years. 

But across the country, people are taking back their high streets. More and more communities are taking ownership over key assets. Community businesses are helping create destination spaces that serve local needs. 

We want communities to have the power to create vibrant and resilient high streets that work for them. But to do so, local people must have a seat at the table. They need the opportunities and resources to take ownership of the spaces and places that matter to them. Through evidence and advocacy, we’re working to help communities take back the high street.

Want to work with us? Get in touch with our Portfolio Manager, Kate McKenzie.

Email Kate

Current project

A woman in a red checkered cape and hat hugs another women in a clothing area at Sparks

Community-led High Street Innovators

We’re collaborating with a small number of community businesses to test and learn how community-led high street regeneration projects can be a model for communities everywhere.

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We are calling for government to:

Introduce a Community Right to Buy

A powerful new Community Right to Buy will give communities the right of first refusal to purchase registered Assets of Community Value when they come up for sale.

 

Invest in a British High Street Investment Vehicle

Unlocking private investment in community-led high street revitalisation could help purchase and restore a diversified portfolio of around 200 properties across England.

 

Give communities a seat at the table

Government needs to create opportunities for communities, businesses and local government to work together strategically to deliver high street and town centre regeneration. This includes expanding the use of Community Improvement Districts.

 

Continue the Community Ownership Fund

Over the course of the next Parliament, the government should extend and expand the Community Ownership Fund to help more communities take control of the assets that matter to them.

 

Introduce a 75% community business rates relief

This would apply to Community Interest Companies and Community Benefit Societies, asset locked forms of community business and among the most common legal forms of community business.

 

Learn more

News and views

Our latest thinking and updates on high streets.

How we’re backing community business

How we’re backing community business

Our thinking
Power to Change has a renewed purpose and ambitions. With it, we’re shaping the conditions for community business to thrive.
The Shuttered Front: High street decline and the rise of Reform

The Shuttered Front: High street decline and the rise of Reform

Our thinking
Power to Change’s new analysis – Introducing the Shuttered Front – suggests a clear association between high street decline and an increased support for Reform UK in England.
Unlock your high street buildings with a social value lease

Unlock your high street buildings with a social value lease

Our thinking
Local communities often have amazing ideas for town centre buildings, but struggle to get affordable, secure access. Here are some practical steps and free templates for reviving vacant buildings in partnership with asset owners.
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Latest news and thinking

Research and reports

What works to help communities take back their high street.

Introducing the Shuttered Front: Revisiting the high street warning lights

Introducing the Shuttered Front: Revisiting the high street warning lights

Support for Reform UK is rising where high streets are in decline. This may result in an electoral battle for the ‘Shuttered Front’, 39 constituencies predominantly in the Midlands and Northern England.
The community business market in 2024

The community business market in 2024

Our first bi-annual report on the community business market shows the positive impact they continue to have on local communities, other businesses, and their high streets.
Department stories: How communities are reimagining a national institution

Department stories: How communities are reimagining a national institution

Once a destination for generations of shoppers, department stores are on the decline. But community businesses are repurposing vacant department stores and town centre shopping spaces, driving new footfall to their town centres through vibrant offers that meet the needs of their community.
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Our reports

Get inspired

Stories from communities breathing life back into places.

Star and Shadow Cinema

Star and Shadow Cinema

As entertainment venues across the country are struggling, Star and Shadow Cinema is offering a vibrant, multi-arts and community-focused programme to the community in Newcastle’s East End. They’re breathing new life into their local area and inspiring and training the next generation of entertainment.
Friends of Stretford Public Hall

Friends of Stretford Public Hall

After saving a cherished Victorian grade II listed ballroom through a community share offer, Friends of Stretford Public Hall have transformed the space into a vibrant community hub. They've now set their sights on helping the community have more say over their town centre's regeneration, including through participation in our Community Improvement District pilot.
Department

Department

Ryde on the Isle of Wight has a rich cultural and artistic history - with one of the UK’s oldest carnivals taking place in the town.  Shademakers UK are helping to tell the story of Ryde’s creative past by restoring a 300-year-old former department store. They are very hopeful that the project will create pride in the area and bring more people to the town centre. 
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More community business stories