Leamington one of 100 towns to get high street boost from brands

(left to right): Paul Shilton (dual site store Manager at House of Fraser), Ann Jeffrey (store manager at Marks & Spencer, on the Parade), Stephanie Kerr (executive director of BID Leamington),
Sarah Jones (operations manager at Royal Priors Shopping Centre & Regent Court), and Stuart Poole (business support team leader at Warwick District Council). NNL-160720-154950001 — (left to right): Paul Shilton (dual site store Manager at House of Fraser), Ann Jeffrey (store manager at Marks & Spencer, on the Parade), Stephanie Kerr (executive director of BID Leamington), Sarah Jones (operations manager at Royal Priors Shopping Centre & Regent Court), and Stuart Poole (business support team leader at Warwick District Council). NNL-160720-154950001

Business in the Community’s Healthy High Streets programme aims to increase footfall by 10 per cent, reduce the number of vacant properties by 20 per cent and stimulate the creation of new jobs in 100 towns over three years.

The programme first launched in June 2014 and is backed by high street brands including Boots UK, EE, Exterion Media, Greggs, Marks & Spencer and Santander and new partner Wilko.

The town will receive a bespoke package of support, including access to skills and expertise, and dedicated High Street Champions from supporting businesses who will work together with the local partnership team, councils and relevant partners to devise an action plan to address the specific challenges facing the town.

The impact results for the three year programme will be announced in July 2017.

Over the past year, the programme has brought support and resources worth £17 million from its corporate partners into 67 UK high streets.

Stephanie Kerr, director of BID Leamington, said: “We are very pleased to have been accepted onto this programme.

“The town partnership team, which includes representatives from the business community and the local authority, are really looking forward to working in partnership with the Healthy High Street team to learn from their experiences so we can collectively ensure Leamington’s town centre continues to thrive in this fast changing retail environment.”

Business in the Community is a member of the Government’s Future High Streets Forum and supports the High Street Pledge.

The pledge, which was launched on 7 July, is currently supported by over 40 of the UK’s leading businesses.

They are committed to using the leadership expertise, skills and resources of their business to help UK high streets achieve their full potential.