Scheme to take back control of vacant high streets opened

Empty shops are turning into vibrant community centres under new plans to take back control of vacant high streets, as a government-backed scheme goes live in five towns.

The Open Doors project supports landlords and communities to transform empty shops into vibrant community hubs, making the high street a space to address the issues that matter to them. As such, the scheme has matched public and private landlords of commercial properties, with community groups offering vital services to local people.

The sites are available free of charge to local community groups to use, with opportunities ranging from well-being classes, to business support sessions, to mentoring for social enterprises.

Former retail units taking part in the scheme are located in Stoke-on-Trent, Bradford, Rochford, Kettering and Slough. This week, community hubs have opened in Stoke-on-Trent, Bradford and Kettering.

High Streets Minister Jake Berry said: “With landlords, organisations and the government working together, we have given unused spaces a boost and created fresh opportunities for projects which benefit local communities.

“Local hubs and social projects bring people together and can play an important role in tackling the social and economic challenges we face, like loneliness and unemployment. The Open Doors project is just one of the ways the government is working to transform our high streets. We are committed to helping local high streets adapt to the challenges they face and want communities to engage, to thrive and to enjoy their vibrant town centres and high streets.”

The government launched a new forward-thinking High Streets Task Force supporting local leaders to revitalise high streets and town centres on 2 July 2019.