Kent prepares toolkit for high street recovery and renewal

Independent think-tank Localis has on Tuesday published a policy toolkit setting out how high streets across Kent and Medway are tackling a changing and challenging retail landscape.

Ttitled ‘Recovery and Renewal on the Kent High Street’ the practical study sets out concrete examples of how Kent’s local centres are adapting with a sense of determination, ingenuity and resilience to maintain a sense of pride in place amid a fast-changing retail and cultural climate.

Drawing on experience from stakeholders across Kent’s local government and business community, the toolkit considers a number of factors local economies are contending with, including the balance between retail, leisure and other offers, success factors underpinning strong town centre performance and the role of local authorities in nurturing high streets.

“Driving innovation in the centre of towns will be crucial to their short-term survival and long-term renaissance and ensuring residents feel a strong sense of pride in place,” Jonathan Werran, Localis chief executive, said.

“Local government, as the key institutional player in the long-term management of high streets and town centres will, as this toolkit outlines, have to prove adept and adroit in making use of the tools and resources at its disposal.”

Originally commissioned in winter 2021 by Kent County Council working with Medway Council and Kent’s Boroughs and Districts, the toolkit is designed as an aid to local economic development practitioners and experts. The policy options covered include placemaking, coping with post-pandemic changes to the high street, decarbonisation and sustainability, labour markets, diversity on the high street mix and how to overcome barriers to recovery.

“A vibrant high street or town centre is central to local growth and a sense of place – this first Localis policy toolkit offers an array of ideas and options showing how by working together nationally and locally we may achieve this,” Cllr Roger Gough, leader of Kent County Council, said.

“For a national government rightly intent on levelling up, the high street has taken on a new importance. This report offers a portfolio of local solutions and national policy ideas which could make levelling up on our high streets a reality.”