It’s been a VERY busy (and brilliant) year for HighStreetPositives - and we’re incredibly grateful you’ve been part of it 💗

Since officially launching in April this year, our focus has been simple but important: sharing good news, shifting the narrative, and bringing together people across the high street ecosystem to champion the art of the possible. None of this happens without collaboration, so a huge thank you to our brilliant corporate partners Nexus Planning, Greenwoods, Widd Signs, Kesslers London, The Mosaic Partnership, Hotel Chocolat and We Are Acuity, as well as our founding members and the thousands of stakeholders who subscribe, share stories and get involved.

As we head into the New Year, we’re keen to build on that momentum. In 2026, we’ll be growing the message further - bringing more stakeholders together through events, webinars, white papers, reports, surveys and timely news, and creating even more ways for people to get involved in shaping the future of our high streets.

January headlines can be relentlessly negative, so we’re also pulling together a HighStreetPositives New Year report to spotlight the progress happening right now - from new openings and investment to practical case studies and community-led change. You’ll see a short survey later in this newsletter, and we’d love your help in shaping that picture.

Finally, if you’d like to be more involved next year - as a partner, sponsor, member, contributor or collaborator - please do get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

Wishing you all a wonderful festive period and a very Happy New Year 🎄✨

We NEED YOUR INPUT - quick 1-2 mins please 💛

January headlines can be relentlessly negative, so we’re creating a HighStreetPositives New Year report to spotlight what’s actually changing for the better - new openings, investment, practical case studies and local wins. This isn’t to deny the challenges - it’s to make sure progress is visible.

Narrative matters. When high street news feels negative, only 35% say they want to visit - when it feels positive, that rises to 85%. The story shapes footfall, confidence, investment and pride in place.

If you’ve got good news (openings, refurbishments, 2026 plans, anniversaries, heritage stories), please share it here and pass on:

If you’ve got good news to share, please add it here (1–2 mins) and pass it on: HighStreetPostives Info 💛

‘The High Street is Dying…’ they said - however…

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 and investment

Holland & Barrett: Recently shortlisted in three Retail Week Awards categories (Retailer Over £250m, New Store Game Changer, Responsible Retailer), reflecting strong investment in customer experience, sustainability and community impact. This month they added to a wider year of high street openings/relocations with a new store in Uckfield.

Loungers - 29 openings in 2025
Loungers finished 2025 with Palomo Lounge opening in Bradley Stoke and a headline year of growth - 29 new sites, taking the business to 250 Lounges and 300 sites overall. Refurbishments in Leeds and Manchester also signal ongoing reinvestment in town-centre destinations.

Trespass - Southport town-centre fit-out
A new Trespass shop is being fitted out on Chapel Street, Southport, with an opening coming soon. It is a positive signal for unit churn, with the former Bodycare space re-let quickly and positioned opposite the former BHS redevelopment that is expected to lift footfall.

Superdrug - open 23 new store in 2025
Superdrug has just opened a new store in Bromley - its 23rd new store of 2025 and the final new opening of the year -

Mountain Warehouse - advent calendar of openings and moves
Sean Riley, Head of Acquisitions for UK & Ireland, has been sharing an advent calendar of Mountain Warehouse and Animal openings and relocations - including Canterbury, Kingston upon Thames, Newquay and Didcot (Orchard Centre), Lincoln plus Orpington (Nugent Shopping Park) - a clever, low-key way for a retailer to promote ongoing investment.

Oliver Bonas - relocations, upsizes and multiple pre-Christmas openings
Oliver Bonas shared a busy run of investment, with relocated and upsized stores in Tunbridge Wells and King’s Cross Station, plus new openings in Marlow, Lincoln, Altrincham and Silverburn (Glasgow), alongside relocations at Westgate Oxford, Tottenham Court Road and Belfast Arthur Street.

Hotel Chocolat - 20 new stores in 2025, plus relocations
Hotel Chocolat opened store 19 in Didcot and store 20 at Ealing Broadway in time for Christmas, taking the brand into more communities. The year total reached 20 new stores, including a flagship in Manchester, plus two store relocations to new locations.

Dr. Martens - Brewer Street, Soho, London
Dr. Martens’ first-ever beacon store on Brewer Street fuses craft, culture and community. It introduces care, repair and customisation services plus events, and the Doctor’s Orders Cafe featuring Old Spike Roastery, Luminary Bakery, The Dusty Knuckle and NEMI Teas.

Independents, Hospitality & Local Growth

STORRD - Camden, London (opens Dec 2025)
STORRD brings a totally new high-street premium convenience concept to Camden, combining deli-style hot food, curated British challenger brands and science-led meals. Backed by Mount Group, it plans up to ten more stores next year.

Brewski - Liverpool ONE + Salford (Q4)
Brewski opened two new 5,000 sq ft venues across two brands in Liverpool ONE and Salford Quays (MediaCity), building on existing sites in Manchester, Sheffield and Chester. The expansion created 85 new jobs, with further launches planned for 2026.

Busby & Fox - Bath and Cardiff
Busby & Fox opened two new stores in quick succession in Bath and Cardiff, taking the brand to 11 UK locations and extending its reach across key high street destinations.

Haus of Moss - new shop opens in Darlington
Haus of Moss Florist has opened its own shop at 30 Blackwellgate, Darlington, marking the next step for the business after starting out on market stalls. The move highlights how markets can support independent traders to grow into permanent high street premises.

The Victoria Pub, Leeds - reopens after renovation
The Vic Pub in Leeds has reopened following a careful renovation, with visitors praising the restoration of original features and the return of its familiar atmosphere. Strong early footfall and warm community feedback highlight its enduring place in local life.

Cardiff - Ogof opens in Canton
Ogof, a new neighbourhood restaurant and natural wine shop led by chef Alex Vines, opened on Kings Road, Canton on 18 December, serving daily lunch specials and in-house baked sandwiches, then a seasonal, shareable evening menu alongside natural wines.

Town Centre Moments & Local Pride

Jarrolds - Norwich (255 years)
Fresh from being named UK’s Best Independent Department Store at the Drapers Awards, Jarrolds celebrates 255 years with festive events, curated gifting and a headline “giant neon hand” installation.

Market Place Bolton - Bolton town centre (170 years)
Market Place Bolton marks 170 years, reflecting its journey from Victorian market hall to a modern town-centre destination, with cake, community activity and a Creatives Now workshop.

Policy, Campaigns & Community

Love Gloucester Month - February 2026
Love Gloucester Month returns in February 2026 as a city-wide push to champion local enterprise, from independents to larger employers. The campaign encourages promotions, events, collaborations and social storytelling, aiming to build lasting relationships and boost visibility across the city.

Traditional retail markets - social and economic value
A recent research summary on Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire markets highlights their role in jobs, apprenticeships, local character and community connection, plus access to products not easily found elsewhere. It recommends stronger planning protection, support for market growth, and closer links with local businesses and sustainability policies.

Bournemouth - High Street Rental Auctions pilot
Bournemouth is progressing plans to pilot High Street Rental Auctions, using new council powers to bring long-vacant shops back into use where this can deliver economic, social or environmental benefit. The proposal includes a funded vacancy register and follows a consultation where most respondents supported action.

Chesterfield - new town-centre mural unveiled
A vibrant new mural, Local, by street artist Peachzz now covers the side of the Pavements Shopping Centre, welcoming visitors into Chesterfield Market. Co-designed with the community, it celebrates market traders and local heritage through bold, story-led imagery.

Jobs & Opportunities

Historic England - National Projects Coordinator (hybrid, multiple hubs)
Permanent role supporting major programmes and portfolio delivery. Hybrid working across Newcastle, York, Manchester, Birmingham, Swindon, Bristol, Portsmouth (Fort Cumberland) and Cambridge, with interviews provisionally set for 15 January 2026. (Application form)

Crewe BID Manager - marketing, events, business engagement
A Crewe BID Manager vacancy is positioned as a visible place-making leadership role, covering marketing, events and business engagement. The post highlights flexible working and the chance to deliver high-profile town-centre projects alongside local partners and businesses. (Application Form)

Nando’s - Acquisition Manager (North of England + Scotland, remote)
Nando’s is hiring an Acquisition Manager to identify and acquire restaurant sites, shape pipeline plans and negotiate leases. Remote role with travel, focused on the North of England and Scotland. (Application Form)

Footasylum - partners wanted (Manchester or Leeds)
Footasylum is seeking local businesses and community creatives to collaborate on in-store events for 2026 openings - youth-facing activations such as personalisation, grooming and creative pop-ups.(Contact Connor Smith)

Join the HighStreetPositives Membership Community for monthly network calls, free webinars, practical case studies and early access to events - plus a member badge and resources. Special membership price ends 31 Dec 2025. Help shift the narrative and back thriving high streets and healthier communities.