Burnham unveils £210m package to revive England's high streets

Andy Burnham has unveiled a £210 million package aimed at regenerating communities and bringing life back to England’s high streets, ahead of his first Labour Party conference as leader this week, where he is expected to set out a “new direction” for the country.

Vacant shopping centres, disused cinemas and abandoned local eyesores will be revamped under the plans. A £125 million derelict buildings fund will be available to transform mothballed and dilapidated buildings, while an £85 million pot will help communities take over neglected pubs, clubs and shops, the government said. The funding forms part of money earmarked by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government for high street support and regeneration.

An additional £65 million has been allocated to rescuing businesses and buildings at risk of closure, such as pubs and sports clubs, and a further £20 million aims to help communities set up co-operative businesses and let out empty units in High Street Rental Auctions.

“People don’t measure growth by looking at a spreadsheet. They measure it by looking at their local high street. Are shops opening or are the shutters down? Does the place feel like it’s moving forward or being left behind?” Burnham said. “The truth is that too many high streets have been left to hollow out, leaving town centres a shell of what they once were. That must change, and today’s funding will help put power back into the hands of locals who know their area best.”

Communities Secretary Angela Rayner said: “Nobody knows a high street better than the community that it belongs to. That’s why this money puts power directly into their hands.”

First Secretary of State Louise Haigh added: “For too long, places in every part of the country have been overlooked by Westminster. High streets neglected, town centres left in decline and local assets left to decay.”

Sources

• Press Association, via Morningstar