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Business rates: the case for reform
Posted on: 23 September 2013
By: mackene
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Filed under: News
Reforming business rates would be the single most important step towards reviving high streets and boosting retail jobs across the country, according to a new report from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The BRC is working closely with stakeholders to investigate appropriate reforms, which would be hugely beneficial to local communities and the wider UK economy.
21st century retail policy: Quality, choice, experience and convenience
Posted on: 13 September 2013
By: mackene
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This report from the Policy Exchange finds that discriminating against out-of-town shopping centres in favour of high streets, which are often not operating at maximum productivity, costs the average household ÂŁ1,000 every year.
Beyond the high street: Why our city centres really matter
Posted on: 10 September 2013
By: mackene
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This report from the Centre for Cities attempts to move the conversation on from one focused on retail to the wider economic underperformance of many of our city centres.
The Grimsey Review: An alternative future for the high street
Posted on: 5 September 2013
By: mackene
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The latest in a long line of those reports, the Grimsey Review, claims to offer an alternative future for the high street. Bill Grimsey, former boss of Focus DIY and Wickes and now retail turnaround specialist, believes his review offers recommendations that will see real change on the high street. Grimsey’s recommendations include creating town centre commissions for each town across the country and forcing local councils to draw up 20-year visions, broken down into five-year business plans with annual public meetings to report on progress.
Culture on the High Street
Posted on: 13 August 2013
By: mackene
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A new guide has been published by the Greater London Authority to help local authorities, town centre managers and business improvement districts to improve the quality and ambition of culture on our high street.
Streets ahead? Putting high streets at the heart of local economic growth
Posted on: 5 August 2013
By: mackene
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London’s 200 high streets are vital for local economic growth, but face a number of challenges. This report from London Councils provides 13 recommendations to place boroughs at the centre of local economic development in their high streets and town centres.
Property owners & Business Improvement Districts: Formalising the role of property owners, who are not ratepayers, in Business Improvement District Schemes
Posted on: 24 July 2013
By: mackene
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Currently, property owners can make voluntary contributions towards a ratepayer business improvement district and some do. However, others choose not to make a contribution but still benefit from the success of a business improvement district. Mary Portas, in her independent report into the future of high streets, recommended that the government should legislate to allow landlords to become high street investors by contributing to their business improvement district. The government recognises the views of the business improvement district community and Mary Portas, that property owner business improvement districts could strengthen the part that landlords play in the future of the high street and in promoting growth, and committed to look at formalising the role of owners in response to a Portas Review recommendation. This consultation seeks views on a framework for allowing such schemes. Comments are requested by 17 September 2013.
The future of high streets: progress since the Portas Review
Posted on: 10 July 2013
By: mackene
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This report, which comes a year from the launch of the Portas Pilots, summarises progress on high streets and the next phase in the future of the high street. The report outlines what the government and other organisations have done to support the high street, how the 27 Portas Pilots have been tackling their local challenges and sets out next steps for the future of the high street.
The changing face of the high street: Decline and renewal
Posted on: 8 July 2013
By: mackene
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A new English Heritage report claims historic town centre buildings could be crucial for resurrecting high streets. This report is the product of research commissioned by English Heritage, in partnership with the Historic Towns Forum, to better understand what has changed in recent years. It looks in detail at the current policy and retail context and what they might mean for historic town centres and high streets. The report describes how those that have emphasised local heritage have succeeded in driving footfall and attracting retailers. It emphasises the need for councils to focus on town planning, architectural excellence and long-term investment.
National Review of Town Centres: External Advisory Group Report: Community and enterprise in Scotland’s town centres
Posted on: 5 July 2013
By: mackene
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The Scottish Government has published an independent report which details key recommendations for re-energising Scotland’s town centres. The report includes a number of proposals to help breathe new life into town centres.
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