North West dominates list of struggling high streets earmarked for extra support

Struggling retail sector

Towns in the North West make up half the list of struggling high streets which are set to get government backing.

The problems facing retailers is one of the major priorities of the newly elected government and a new task force has been created.

According to research nearly 300,000 high street jobs have been lost in the past decade.

More than 2,750 jobs were lost every week, according to analysis by the Centre for Retail Research (CRR).

The situation is showing no sign of easing with the sector suffering from a lacklustre Christmas.

High business rates and changes in consumer habits are being blamed for the increase in store closures.

Seven towns and suburbs in the region have been included in the list of 14 high streets which are part of the new government initiative.

1. Salford – Swinton Town centre
2. Croydon – Thornton Heath
3. Staffordshire Moorlands – Cheadle
4. Rushmoor – Aldershot Town Centre
5. Birmingham – Stirchley
6. Hyndburn – Accrington Town Centre
7. South Lakeland – Kendal
8. Preston – Friargate
9. Coventry – Coventry City Centre
10. Hartlepool – Hartlepool Town Centre
11. Cheshire West and Chester – Ellesmere Port Town Centre
12. Sandwell – West Bromwich Town Centre
13. Knowsley – Huyton Town Centre
14. Manchester – Withington District Centre

The pilot areas will receive “tailored advice and guidance” from industry leaders and experts.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced the list as part of a “£3.6bn investment in towns and high streets”.

The areas will get “bespoke support and guidance from the new High Streets Task Force” that will “breathe new life into town centres”.

Face-to-face support, access to “cutting-edge research” and planning and design experts, new online training, and local footfall data will also be offered.

The announcement follows that in July, when the government revealed the first of 101 places to benefit from up to £25m each from the £1bn Future High Streets Fund as part of a wider £3.6bn investment in towns and high streets.
The government said it will invest hundreds of millions of the £1bn Future High Streets Fund into ongoing projects across the country throughout 2020.

Mr Jenrick said: “Central to the mission of this new government is levelling up towns and regions, ensuring prosperity and opportunity are available to everyone.

“Over the course of 2020, we will invest hundreds of millions into projects to transform our town centres and support bespoke plans to meet the needs of individual local communities.”

Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry said town centres and high streets are “the lifeblood of communities”.

“The tailored support from our new High Streets Task Force and up to £25m each from the Towns Fund for 100 places gives communities the money and support they need to unleash the potential of their towns.”

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