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| | | | 04/04/2014 | The Grocer, Ian Quinn - Healthy High Streets plan gets big-name backing | | | | | Healthy High Streets campaign launched | | | | | The Grocer reports that a new coalition of government, retailers and business leaders has pledged to create 3,000 new jobs on UK high streets, as well as boost footfall and slash vacancy rates with the launch of a Healthy High Streets campaign.
The new campaign was launched by high streets minister Brandon Lewis and is being co-ordinated by Business in the Community. It is currently backed by The Co-operative Group, M&S and Boots, as well as Santander.
The campaign will initially focus on 100 towns, which will receive a new support package aimed at increasing footfall by 10% and reducing the number of empty units by 20% over the next three years. Measures include retailers handing over empty properties for new shops, providing management support and subsidising parking and loyalty schemes.
Those involved claimed the initiative was the best way to build on the review carried out by high street guru Mary Portas as it had the support of some of the UK's biggest businesses.
The four initial backers have a combined total of 9,000 branches across the country and BITC is understood to be in talks with other companies including John Lewis, JD Wetherspoon and Wilkinson. |
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