A package of support to help High Streets to get back on their feet has been launched today (Friday), the Government has announced, ahead of shops reopening from 15th June.
The High Streets Task Force will provide access to cutting-edge tools, training, information and advice for High Streets across England as part of the Government’s efforts to get shops back in business safely from Monday.
This support is open to local councils and all organisations involved with High Streets and will include free access to online training programmes, webinars, data and intelligence on topics including recovery planning and coordination, public space and place marketing.
The support will form one part of the Task Force’s 4-year programme which will focus on the long-term transformation of town and city centres and helping communities reimagine and revitalise their high streets.
The Task Force has also today confirmed Mark Robinson, co-founder of Ellandi and leading investor in regional town centres, has been appointed as the Chair of the Task Force Board. The new Board will guide the work of the Task Force and act as a national voice for high streets, supporting them to transform town and city centres.
High Streets Minister Simon Clarke MP said:
“The re-opening of our High Streets will be a crucial part of kick-starting our economic recovery and restarting town life.
“That is why I welcome the appointment of Mark Robinson to head up the High Streets Task Force. I know that Mark will be a strong voice for ensuring that local businesses get the support they need to reopen safely in the coming weeks.
Article continues below this advertisement “Combined with our £50 million Reopening High Streets Safely Fund, the work of the Task Force will support our High Streets through this challenging time and ensure they have the tools they need to get back on their feet.”
Mark Robinson, Chair of the Task Force, said:
“I am delighted and honoured to be asked to lead this initiative. No-one underestimates the challenges to our town centres, but this long-term initiative, running until 2024, shows the government’s commitment to our towns and the transformation required. I look forward to making change happen.
“The Task Force has already provided invaluable advice to town centre stakeholders in the current crisis and we will continue to build capacity, promoting best practice, led by research and evidenced by data. The Task Force will provide a rallying point for all of the people who care about our High Streets and advocate the change that is needed.”
The announcement follows the opening of the Government’s £50m Reopening High Streets Safely Fund which will support local councils to safely reopen their high streets and other commercial areas.
Over the next four years, the Task Force will work with over 100 towns and cities to provide dedicated expert support, mentoring, guidance and access to data and intelligence.
When are the historic monuments being torn down in our towns? The far left demand it.
Are the far left going to demolish BATH because of Roman slavery? and who will demolish the ancient pyramids in Egypt that was built by slavery?…
Soon there will be no towns too shop in, fascism from from the far left are on the rise with the help of mainstream media.
Clare I went to the last Bestival event on the Island. Every other one had a wonderful vibe of people really out to enjoy themselves. The last one however had a certain type of music which attracted the wrong sort. Groups of them were hanging around looking for victims, be it young wasted girls, or drug deals or just banging into people to be obnoxious. Really horrid, and although the Bestival used to be one of the nicest things I ever done, these beings ruined it for me, and I vowed never to go again. Wasn’t sorry when it left the Island. This isn’t all ‘one sided’ by a long chalk. Just we never are allowed to comment unless singing the praises now.
One would think such people if they are so unhappy, would not risk life, limb and travel thousands of miles to get to such an awful unjust land. Something must be an attraction, unlikely to be the weather, so I am at a loss to know just what it is.
If I never liked the rules, culture, history and ways of another land, I wouldn’t even holiday there, let alone struggle to get there to spend the rest of my life. Big world out there which might be more ‘suitable’.