Sutton has just been announced as one of the latest towns across the UK to receive support from some of the UK’s biggest brands EE, Exterion Media and Greggs who have joined founding partners Boots UK, the Co-operative Group, Marks & Spencer and Santander to support the transformation of UK High Streets.
Business in the Community’s Healthy High Streets programme aims to increase footfall by 10%, reduce the number of vacant properties by 20% and stimulate the creation of new jobs in 100 towns over three years. The programme launched in June 2014 and is backed by some of the UK’s biggest high street brands - founding partners Boots UK, the Co-operative Group, Marks & Spencer and Santander and new partners EE, Exterion Media and Greggs.
Sutton is one of 34 new High Streets selected for the programme across the UK today, bringing the total number of participating High Streets to 67. It 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, local authority and relevant local partners to devise an action plan to address the specific challenges facing the town. The final 33 towns will be announced next year. In one year, the programme has brought support and resources worth £9 million**from its corporate partners into 33 UK high streets.
Chief Executive of Successful Sutton Ross Feeney said: “The additional support and in-kind investment that Sutton will benefit from through the Healthy High Streets programme is considerable. Our selection into the 2015 programme is a positive reflection on Sutton’s future and will help us increase Sutton’s profile, encourage more visitors to our town centre and secure further investment from both new retailers and existing businesses”.
Commenting on the programme’s expansion, Robin Foale, Managing Director, Santander Business Banking, and chair of the Healthy High Streets programme said “Congratulations to Sutton on being chosen to be part of the Healthy High Streets programme. This is a great opportunity to work with the business partners and the local High Street Champions to transform the town and create a thriving, vibrant centre for the local community.”
Business in the Community’s Peter Donohoe said: “One of the most powerful ways for business to make an impact in communities is by creating high streets that are vibrant places to live, work and do business. It has been heartening to see first-hand the practical difference that collaborative, business-led action can make on UK high streets in just one year. While there is much be proud of about our High Streets Programme we also know that there is more work to be done. We warmly welcome Greggs, EE and Exterion Media as programme partners and look forward to working with Sutton to create lasting change.”
To find out more about Business in the Community’s high streets work visit www.bitc.org.uk/healthyhighstreets