The organiser of next month’s Future High Street Summit in Nottingham is determined to reverse the ongoing decline of the high street, as the conference prepares to inspire delegates with proven solutions and best practices for town centre success.
Despite the latest BRC-Springboard figures, which reported a continuing drop in footfall on high streets and in shopping centres as well as a rise in vacancy rates, the event’s organiser is convinced that high street stakeholders can convert consumer trends by working together.
“The Future High Street Summit has a clear message – the high street is not dying or dead, but it is evolving,” explains Clare Rayner, founder of the event. “It’s important that the people behind our town and city centres evolve with the times as well. We want to open our attendees’ eyes to the options available to them for their own future high streets.
“Today’s consumers are looking for something a little different when they visit town centres. Our jam-packed, two-day event on 25th and 26th March is going to showcase the proven solutions that bring people back to the high street, and delegates are going to see how working with other organisations is the perfect way to implement those solutions.”
Hosted by Mark Holder, team leader at DCLG, the second session of the day will explore how town centres can work in partnership with the tiers of local government, and examples of best practice in action. Speakers include Jean Ball MIPM, town team special advisor at ATCM, and Rachel Baconnet, regeneration project manager, town centres, at Warwickshire County Council.
Whilst Rachel will talk about the importance of county authorities as key drivers for economic growth, Jean will explore the concept that collaboration and partnership have become mandatory.
Jean comments: “The towns and cities that are enjoying positive momentum are those where people, passion and power are working in partnership. In the 21st century, the truth is that no single entity can deliver thriving high streets – not local government, business improvement districts, town teams, chambers or town centre partnerships – but together we can make places that are alive, vibrant, inclusive and resilient.
“Town centres are complex places and it takes collaborative effort by a wide and varied range of stakeholders, each doing their bit and working to shared objectives, to craft real change with lasting impact. Delegates can hear about the highs and low from the Portas Town Team Programme over the past two years and how they can contribute to helping making towns great.”
The Future High Street will be held at Nottingham Conference Centre within Nottingham Trent University on 25th and 26th March. For more information on the event and to see an outline agenda with the other featured high street factors, delegates can visit the Future High Street Summit website.
Tickets for the conference are on sale now and attendees can sign up at www.futurehighstreet.co.uk/register.
