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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 01/10/2026

Thank you for the love! Sadly, that link is broken. Did you mean to link to our briefing paper on the civic high street? 😊https://www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and-ideas/research-and-reports/briefing-the-civic-high-street/

powertochange.org.uk

Briefing: The civic high street - Power to Change

Our civic high street briefing offers recommendations for how government can deliver a transformative High Street Strategy, using policy and investment to d ...

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Cooperative Councils’ Innovation Network @coopcouncils.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

It was great to see @powertochange.org.uk, one of our valued CCIN Affiliate Members, at The Labour Party Conference this year. Their session on community‑led regeneration, repurposing empty and historic buildings, and strengthening local businesses and culture was a real highlight.

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 01/10/2026

In the meantime, join the LinkedIn group to share inspiration, ideas, or challenges: www.linkedin.com/groups/42479...

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 01/10/2026

You can still join us in #Sunderland with Back on the Map on 22 October, in #Hastings with Hastings Commons on 10 November, or in Westminster on 4 November: www.powertochange.org.uk/events/

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 01/10/2026

Great day in Bristol yesterday for the Civic High Street Collective study visit to Sparks! The 1st of 3 to community businesses refusing the inevitability of shuttered shops & decline. Instead, giving local people a say & turning vacant spaces into arts & culture/public service/community/housing.

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 29/09/2026

The Civic High Street Collective has a new look 🎉 Join our LinkedIn community to share inspiration, learn from others and discover examples from mixed-use civic high streets across the country 👉 www.linkedin.com/groups/42479014/

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We're Right Here @right-here.org · 29/09/2026

As politicians chat in the Labour Party Conference rooms far from the communities they serve, we brought the two worlds closer together through the Community Power Bus. 🚌 Community spaces are essential infrastructure, not optional extras. The next stop for devolution has got to be community power.

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UCL Policy Lab @uclpolicylab.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Then rounding off with a rousing discussion on Power and Place with @powertochange.org.uk. Come hear from the Rt. Hon. Angela Rayner MP. Followed by an in conversation with @roswynnejones.bsky.social and Liam Kelly from Make CIC on how to put power in the hands of communities.

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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 27/09/2026

What's next for communities policy? ask @powertochange.org.uk, Coop Party, Park Street Partners of @nickplumb.bsky.social @joplatt.bsky.social @florenceeshalomi.bsky.social, Fin Irwin Lots on empowerment, doing with & not to communities; Nick on devo agenda needing to go the final mile to postcodes

Panel (left to right): Nick Plumb, Jo Platt MP, Fin Irwin, Florence Eshalomi MP

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 28/09/2026

4/4 📍 Hastings | 10 Nov Hosted by Hastings Commons, explore one of the UK's most inspiring examples of community-led regeneration. Register your interest for a study visit: buff.ly/GXTGWd9

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Study visits | Civic High Street Collective - Power to Change

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 28/09/2026

3/4 📍 Sunderland | 22 Oct Hosted by Back on the Map in Hendon, Sunderland. Learn from local leaders and discover practical approaches to community-led regeneration and thriving town centres.

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 28/09/2026

2/4 📍 Bristol | 30 Sept Hosted by Artspace Lifespace, this visit explores how culture, heritage, housing and local services can help create vibrant, community-focused high streets. buff.ly/GXTGWd9

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Study visits | Civic High Street Collective - Power to Change

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 28/09/2026

Want to see the civic high street in action? 👀 This autumn, the Civic High Street Collective is hosting study visits in Bristol, Sunderland and Hastings. Join us to explore inspiring examples of community-led high streets and connect with peers. 🧵👇

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Study visits | Civic High Street Collective - Power to Change

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 24/09/2026

5 practical steps for govt to unlock a resilient high street that goes beyond retail: 1️⃣ Tackle vacancy through new ownership models 2️⃣ Support councils to use existing powers 3️⃣ Improve data transparency 4️⃣ Reform meanwhile-use 5️⃣ Help communities move from temporary to long-term use 👇️ buff.ly/wxV1j8d

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Briefing: The civic high street - Power to Change

Our civic high street briefing offers recommendations for how government can deliver a transformative High Street Strategy, using policy and investment to d ...

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 23/09/2026

Communities with the power to shape their places are what creates resilient #highstreets and connected communities that can flex and respond to challenges. Join us at Party Conferences 2026 to explore how communities can play a bigger role in shaping places, public services & local economies👇

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Party conferences 2026: - Power to Change

Find out how we’re backing community business at Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green Party conferences in September and October 2026.

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 22/09/2026

📣 Heading to #LabourPartyConference? Join us for A symbol of a British renaissance: the civic high street. Delighted that Leigh Ingham MP will be joining the panel alongside Chris Curtis MP, Laura Onita (FT), Jo Cooper (Back on the Map), chaired by @jesscraig.bsky.social 👇️ buff.ly/oS3VrwF

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A symbol of a British renaissance: the civic high street

Across the country, communities are bringing high streets back to life. What will it take to make the civic high street the norm, not the exception?

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 17/09/2026

How we talk about our high streets is changing. There's growing recognition that retail alone cannot save our town centres, but that civic-led high streets can foster the connection and community we need. More in September's newsletter, including ways to get involved. 👉️ bit.ly/4rhIPuV

People walking on a high street. Text: September's community business news, opportunities, and more.

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 17/09/2026

Today, the PM is championing community power in an announcement of nearly £30m of funding for People’s Power projects. More on this from @nickplumb.bsky.social 👇

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 15/09/2026

Learn from organisations leading community-powered regeneration on the ground. Join one of our three study visits in collaboration with the Royal Society of Arts. You could visit: 🏬 Artspace Lifespace in Bristol 🏬 Back on the Map in Sunderland 🏬 Hastings Commons in Hastings buff.ly/Qfv5AHC

powertochange.org.uk

Study visits | Civic High Street Collective - Power to Change

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 14/09/2026

The #CommunityRighttoBuy showed what's possible when communities, campaigners and policymakers work together. So what's next for communities policy? Join us at #LabourPartyConference to discuss the next big ambition for community power. 📅 27 Sept, 4-5pm buff.ly/XlUT1AN

powertochange.org.uk

Party conferences 2026: - Power to Change

Find out how we’re backing community business at Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green Party conferences in September and October 2026.

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 11/09/2026

🏘️ Communities are bringing struggling high streets back to life. But what will it take to make the civic high street the norm, not the exception? Join us at #LabourPartyConference to discuss the future of our high streets. 📅 27 Sept, 1-2pm buff.ly/XlUT1AN

powertochange.org.uk

Party conference events 2026: - Power to Change

Find out how we’re backing community business at Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green Party conferences in September and October 2026.

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 10/09/2026

Do you imagine high streets that are designed around community life, not just retail? Join us in Westminster to celebrate the growing movement for the civic high street and connect with people driving change across the country. Sign up 👇👇 buff.ly/xJIzMZK

powertochange.org.uk

Westminster Reception | Civic High Street Collective - Power to Change

Join us in Westminster for an evening reception celebrating the growing movement for the civic high street.

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 09/09/2026

How can communities breathe new life into the spaces and heritage of our high streets? Join us at #FLIPIM for our High Street Innovators panel, exploring how communities are bringing empty and overlooked spaces back into use through creativity and local action. 🎟️ Register: bit.ly/4yhjHqx

Poster for “High Street Innovators” panel at Wish Upon a Party, featuring Kate McKenzie, Kathryn Chiswell Jones, Louise Cross and Chris Hill.

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 09/09/2026

Party conference season is nearly here, and the Power to Change team will be at #LabourConference, #Green, and #LibDem conferences, bringing community business voices into conversations about high streets, local power and communities policy. Join us at en event 👇 buff.ly/XlUT1AN

powertochange.org.uk

Party conferences 2026: community power from the margins to the centre - Power to Change

Find out how we’re backing community business at Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green Party conferences in September and October 2026.

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 08/09/2026

See the civic high street in action! We're running study visits to #Bristol, #Sunderland and #Hastings with the RSA as part of the Civic High Streets Collective. Learn from community-powered regeneration projects on the ground. Bristol EOIs close 14 Sept: buff.ly/Qfv5AHC

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 07/09/2026

Today's Arguably on why #highstreets need more than retail. A mixed-use civic model built around community, services and local identity is exactly the direction of travel. Great to see our Property Holding Vehicle proposal featured too ⬇️ bit.ly/4zUUvbf

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How to reinvent the British high street

Why town centres need beetroots, bowling alleys and botox

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 04/09/2026

Our Autumn events explore how communities can shape and regerate our places: 📍 Party Conferences 2026: We'll be at #Labour #LibDem #Green 📍 Civic High Street Collective study visits to #Bristol #Sunderland #Hastings 📍 Civic High Street Collective Reception in Westminster Explore: bit.ly/46LRLiJ

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 03/09/2026

👀 Haven't read our August newsletter yet? We explore what Andy Burnham's latest proposals could mean for #highstreets, and why giving communities genuine power over regeneration is essential to creating places that work for local people 👇 bit.ly/4zPHVty

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Communities at the heart of the high street 💛

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 02/09/2026

We all want a neighbourhood we feel proud of. We welcome the announcement of a new high street taskforce to 'explore more radical ideas to revive crumbling high streets' & look forward to working with Andy Burnham's government, combined authority mayors & councils to regenerate local high streets ⬇️

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Burnham blames Brexit and Thatcher for ‘wrong turns’ in first Commons speech as PM

The prime minister said Britain needed to be brutally honest about the mistakes of the last 40 years of UK politics

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We're Right Here @right-here.org · 27/08/2026

3 in 5 people say it’s important to be able to influence decisions affecting their local area. But most of us have no say over what happens in our places. @nickplumb.bsky.social from @powertochange.org.uk argues that devolution must push power to communities: www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

politicshome.com

Devolution must go even deeper

Our data shows there is political ground to be won in not stopping at mayors and regions.

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Rachel Coldicutt @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

It makes zero sense for AI Growth Zones to be planned in isolation from the neighbourhoods strategy - there needs to be a through line that delivers local benefits. Without that, I'm pretty sure we're going to (justifiably) see more local action against data centres and decreasing trust in tech

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Nick Plumb @nickplumb.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Late to this FT editorial from last week. Pleased the paper is increasingly of a similar view to @powertochange.org.uk and those working with us on the idea of the Civic High Street.

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 24/08/2026

Devolution shouldn't stop at mayors and regions. Three in five people say it's important to influence local decisions, but 84% feel they have little or no control. @nickplumb.bsky.social for @politicshome.bsky.social on why power must go deeper into communities ⬇️ bit.ly/4qwhZPq

politicshome.com

Devolution must go even deeper

Our data shows there is political ground to be won in not stopping at mayors and regions.

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 20/08/2026

NEWSLETTER 🗞️ | Last week, Andy Burnham announced plans to help councils & communities reject unwanted shops in town centres. We welcome this, but there's more work needed to create thriving, resilient high streets. Our latest newsletter has ideas on getting this right 👇 sbrew.link/dPogkaRl

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Nick Plumb @nickplumb.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

New Community Engagement Survey findings are out (replaces Community Life Survey and DCMS' Participation Survey). Regional differences between people's perceived ability to influence decisions affecting their local area. Significant gap between London and the NE.

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 11/08/2026

Today’s announcement is a good first step, but communities need the power to shape what they do want on their high street – as well as what they don't. With the support of govt and partnership of councils, we can shape a new, hopeful future for their high streets as multi-purpose civic spaces. 🌷

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 11/08/2026

They agreed that the people who know their places best should have the power to shape them. Giving councils – and communities – more control over the future of their high streets is something we’ve long called for at Power to Change, backed by over a decade of experience working with communities.

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 11/08/2026

🧵Big day for our high streets today. Our high streets policy experts @jesscraig.bsky.social @nickplumb.bsky.social joined community business leaders in Ilkeston to speak with Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner about why communities must have a meaningful say in shaping the future of their #highstreets.

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 11/08/2026

This is exactly the kind of investment that can help communities transform local high streets into places that are economically vibrant, socially connected and locally owned. Alongside local action, national government must do more to back community-led regeneration and local ownership.

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 11/08/2026

🧵 In addition to today’s national announcement, on #highstreets, we're pleased to see #Manchester Mayor Bev Craig announce a £20m Good Growth High Streets Fund alongside a new High Streets Taskforce. bit.ly/4hZRShx

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Mayor unveils plans to revitalise Greater Manchester high streets with new £20m fund

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 11/08/2026

"We’re not going to get anywhere with our #highstreets until we start trusting the people who know them best. That’s what today’s announcements are all about. We’re giving local people a bigger say in the type of shops that can open in their communities." 💬 @andyburnham.bsky.social

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 11/08/2026

💡 That's why we, with support from This Day, have set up the Civic High Street Collective - bringing partners together to champion a mixed-use, civic model where #highstreets are reimagined as places for local services, heritage and culture, community and housing 👇

powertochange.org.uk

Civic High Street Collective - Power to Change

Bringing partners together to champion a mixed-use, civic model where high streets are reimagined as places for local services, heritage and culture, commun ...

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 11/08/2026

[3/4] "Community business is already doing this work, turning #vacantshops and empty department stores into spaces for culture, care and connection and showing there is a different, more hopeful, future for our #highstreets."

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 11/08/2026

[2/4] @nickplumb.bsky.social said: "Real hope for our high streets comes from giving local people a greater say over the types of businesses and spaces they want. Saying no to antisocial businesses is a step towards helping places shape a new vision for their town centres.

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Power to Change @powertochange.org.uk · 11/08/2026

We welcome today's announcement - and the emphasis on giving communities a real say in how their neighbourhoods, #highstreets and shared assets are run. We know this is key to a high street that builds pride, connection, and serves local need: bit.ly/4wq4gv5

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Burnham to give councils more powers to block vape and betting shops

Vape shops in England and Wales to need planning permission while betting shop law change will also apply in Scotland

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