New panel to advise on future of the high street

High Streets Minister Jake Berry has announced the appointment of a panel of experts to diagnose issues that currently affect the health of our high streets and advise on the best practical measures to help them thrive.

The panel will focus on what consumers and local communities want from their high streets, establishing the current challenges and working out options to ensure our town centres remain vibrant.

The panel will be led by Sir John Timpson, chairman of Timpson, and will include representatives from the retail, property and design sectors.

Berry said: “High streets and small businesses are the backbone of our economy and we want to see them thrive now and in the future. People care about their local high streets because they are the centres of their community. But our high streets are changing, and the government is committed to helping communities adapt.

“High streets of the future will still be commercial centres but consumers now look for a wider range of experiences, from leisure to health services. Our future high streets may well feature more homes, childcare centres and gyms to bring people back and ensure that they keep returning. I want to thank Sir John who is bringing 50 years of direct retail experience to the review.”