Reactivating the High Street

Tuesday 01 October 2024

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Rumi Bose

Placeshaping & Regeneration Consultant
Rumi Bose Ltd

Sophie Beagles

Head of Regeneration, Investment and Jobs
London Borough of Ealing

Dr Julie Grail

Managing Director
The BIDs Business

Mark Warren

Mitcham Town Centre Manager
London Borough of Merton

The High Street continues to be a key feature of London’s public realm for its people, with 90% of all Londoners living within 10 minutes of their local high street.

Before the pandemic, 28% of all jobs in the capital were based in High Street retailers, but this has since fallen considerably due to inflationary pressures along with a shortage of labour in the post-Covid economic landscape.

However, built environment professionals have developed innovative new ways to reactivate the High Street. In this Breakfast Talk we heard about projects that have transformed underused buildings and public spaces on High Streets, helping communities to thrive in their urban centres.