High streets are more than shops - they’re where communities meet, culture thrives, and everyday life happens. 2026 is already shaping up with new openings, bold initiatives, and ideas that bring people together and support local growth.

Too often we hear: “Nothing can be done.” But across the UK, retailers, hospitality, planners, councils, BIDs, landlords, creatives, community groups and more are taking action, showing what’s possible!!

The story matters: when high streets are seen positively, 85% of people want to visit; when negative, just 35%. HighStreetPositives exists to share what works, connect people, and grow that momentum.

Join our membership community to get involved.

Vacant Units – Opportunities Waiting to Happen

The high street has never been more full of potential. Every empty unit is a chance to rethink what a place can offer - a space for new experiences, creative projects, retail, hospitality, services or community-led initiatives that energise streets, attract visitors, and reflect what local people really want. Vacancy levels differ widely across the UK, shaped by market conditions, landlord choices, footfall, and local perceptions - but the opportunity in each empty unit is always there if you look beyond the headline numbers.

Here are three ways to unlock that potential:

1. Take stock: walk the high street, record which units are empty, and understand why.

2.  Engage stakeholders: bring together landlords, agents, traders, councils, community groups and cultural organisations to explore opportunities and test ideas.

3. Experiment and learn: try relevant temporary uses, pop-ups, cultural or community projects to see what resonates and builds momentum.

These approaches help communities to be agile, creative, and responsive -and once activated, can inspire new investment and fresh thinking. The Vacant Shops Academy, led by the well-connected and experienced placemaker Iain Nicholson, has worked with town and city centres across the UK using this collaborative philosophy. As Iain puts it: “Vacancy is often seen as a problem, but it’s really an opportunity and when a place works together on this issue, we are seeing just what’s possible, both in terms of reducing headline vacancy rates but also improving the mix of uses they have.”

A big thank you to Iain for his insights and expertise - if you want practical guidance for your high street, you can find out more here The Vacant Shops Academy | Tackling #highstreet empty shops issues, #placemaking or connect with Iain on LinkedIn.

Case Study – I Love North Shields: Community Impact Without a Big Budget

I Love North Shields is a community-focused magazine based in North Shields, running for two years as a CIC. Published quarterly, it celebrates the everyday stories of residents, shopkeepers, and creatives -always positive, never political. Through editorial and photographic collectives, pop-up galleries, street clean-ups, and initiatives like the 12 days of Christmas , it brings people together and builds pride in a town often overlooked.

Working with the council, local traders, and residents, the magazine acts as a hub for connection, ideas, and action that helps bring people onto the high street. Funded through small council grants, sponsorships, merchandise, and subscriptions, I Love North Shields shows that meaningful community change doesn’t require a big budget - just collaboration, creativity, and commitment to place.

“Pride of place doesn’t come from slogans or signage — it comes from people feeling seen. I Love North Shields makes that happen by putting local voices on the high street, in print and in public life, so pride grows naturally from everyday stories and shared ownership of place.”  Simmie Harper, Founder, I Love North Shields 

High Street News & Opportunities

There are loads of positive news stories from high streets across the UK. Here's a selection of highlights, celebrating new store openings, regeneration projects, and other positive developments. Thank you for all your contributions.

New Openings & Investment

• Auntie Anne’s – Now 47 stores across the UK & Ireland, expanding rapidly into high-footfall locations and bringing fresh retail experiences to more communities.

• Caffè Costadoro – Italian coffee roaster opens two London sites in Clapham Junction and Beckenham, introducing a minimalist, scalable concept for UK coffee lovers.

• M&S, SouthGate Bath – New 83,000 sq ft flagship combining fashion, food, and beauty across four floors, enhancing city-centre vitality and footfall.

• Weird Fish – Added 10 new stores in 2025, now 40 locations mostly in market towns and coastal communities, reflecting growing demand for accessible lifestyle retail.

• Ace & Tate, Cork – Second Irish store now open on Oliver Plunkett Street, expanding personalised eyewear and eyecare offerings to the city.

• Lewisham – Sports Direct, Boots, and Tressly Studios confirmed to open Spring 2026, strengthening retail diversity and community offering.

Independents, Hospitality & Local Growth

• The Spicy Librarian, Royal Leamington Spa – Europe’s largest independent romance bookshop opens 14th February, creating a vibrant community space for readers.

• In the Making, Sheffield - Makers hub launching May in Orchard Square, bringing independent creatives together under one roof and supporting local entrepreneurship.

• Code8 Beauty, Mayfair – Bespoke, minimalist lipsticks designed for busy lives, combining practicality with quality and reflecting a customer-focused approach to retail.

• Maison Abbeville, Clapham – New ownership has relaunched this French-inspired parapharmacie, offering curated skincare, gifts, essentials, and an in-store treatment room. A fresh, modern approach to pharmacy retail.

• Poetry Pharmacy, York – Opening a third high-street store this spring, continuing to combine books, poetry, and community events, with a pre-order supporters’ bookmark helping fund the expansion.

• Drake The Bookshop, Stockton – Independent family-run bookshop hosting school students as guest booksellers, creating hands-on learning opportunities while strengthening community engagement.

• Bandook, Cheltenham – New Indian restaurant opening soon in a prime high-street location, bringing popular dishes from Bath to a vibrant town-centre setting.

• Upstairs at Ronnie’s, London – New 140-seat live music venue offering R&B, Latin, soul, gospel, and jazz, combining grassroots atmosphere with a glamorous setting.

• Grand Hotel, Leicester – Major restoration of historic shopfronts and interior, including 104 bedrooms, improving Granby Street and preserving a landmark building for the community.

Community & Support Programmes

• High Street Heroes, South Yorkshire – Fully-funded programme for independent retailers offering workshops, 1:1 support, and guidance to strengthen brands, digital presence, and local connections.

• Community & Social Initiatives

  • Chicken Rush – Urban games and monthly social events reconnect communities, providing fun ways to meet people and reduce isolation.

  • Empty Chairs – Hosts create open spaces in pubs for anyone needing company, a simple, low-pressure initiative encouraging social connection across towns.

• Bournemouth ‘Take A Seat’ – Two new resting spots added in local businesses, part of the Age Friendly initiative making the town centre more welcoming and accessible.

• Fair Shot, Covent Garden – Cafe providing real paid work opportunities for young adults with learning disabilities, including training, workplace readiness, and employer coaching.

• Stoke-on-Trent Heritage Emergency – City launches ten-year plan to protect historic buildings, unlocking cultural, economic, and social value for the community.

Jobs & Opportunities

• M&S – Regional People Partner – Supporting stores across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire & Home Counties South, shaping leadership, culture, and regional performance. info here

• InExeter – Digital Communications Assistant – Part-time role supporting city-centre businesses through content creation, digital engagement, and event support. info here

• British Land – Head of Marketing – Senior role to lead brand strategy and campaigns for the UK’s iconic, sustainable properties. info here