Welcome to November’s newsletter! This month, we continue to celebrate the remarkable efforts and stories that help our UK and Irish high streets be vibrant, welcoming, and full of life. From pop-ups and new openings to regeneration projects and community initiatives, these positive changes are vital for fostering connection and creating spaces that combat loneliness, isolation, and depression. Vibrant high streets aren’t just about shopping—they’re the heartbeat of our communities, providing a sense of belonging and shared purpose.

I’m also excited to announce that HighStreetPositives is now officially incorporated as a company! This milestone sets the stage for a bigger 2025, with plans to amplify the work of stakeholders across the high street ecosystem—independent businesses, brands, landlords, local authorities, BIDs, arts groups, health projects, and many more. Thank you for being part of this journey. If you have stories to share or ideas for collaboration, please get in touch.

‘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

• The House of Lords report, High Streets: Life Beyond Retail, published last Thursday, calls for high streets to evolve beyond retail by incorporating leisure, health services, and green spaces. It highlights the importance of local markets for footfall and community cohesion, as discussed in more detail in the article below. The report also identifies accessible transport, public safety improvements, and streamlined funding as key factors for future resilience.

• As the High Street Task Force concludes its five-year programme, Professor Cathy Parker MBE highlighted its significant achievements. Nearly 150 communities across the UK have been supported, engaging thousands in revitalisation efforts, with 90% of media coverage reflecting positive outcomes.

• The Cut & Craft, a premium steak and seafood restaurant, will open in Manchester in spring 2025. This exciting addition will be housed in the former Manchester and Salford Bank, which is being restored to its original glory in collaboration with local authorities. The brand, which started in York (2019) and expanded to Leeds (2022), is also running a Christmas pop-up in York and plans further UK locations

• Great news for the high street as Søstrene Grene opened three new stores yesterday in Brighton, Edinburgh, and Craigavon, bringing their UK total to 45 by year-end – a festive boost for local shopping!

• Milton Keynes City Centre is thriving, with recent openings including a huge Sports Direct, FLANNELS, Space NK, Mint Velvet, Bill’s, Parrilla, a relocated Starbucks, and The Entertainer – plus more exciting arrivals on the way!

• Dunelm’s new small-format store in Westfield London opened this week, successfully adapting its concept with striking displays, clear communication, and clever merchandising, showcasing a range of homewares, furniture, and décor!

• A trail of Paddington Bear statues has appeared in 23 locations across the UK, from John O'Groats to Land’s End, celebrating the release of Paddington in Peru this month. Each statue features Paddington on a bench enjoying his marmalade sandwich, with locations including York’s Dean’s Park, Edinburgh’s St Andrew Square, and Ashby de la Zouch’s Market Street. The trail showcases the potential of creative projects to draw visitors and enhance high streets, combining community engagement with cultural celebration.

• Independent clothing boutique Dotique has opened its third store in Witney, West Oxfordshire, expanding outside Derbyshire for the first time. Known for offering high-quality wardrobe staples, Dotique’s new store will also feature a dress rental platform. This marks a significant step in the brand’s UK growth.

• ProCook celebrates four new store openings in Exeter, Norwich, Merry Hill, and Guildford over the past two weeks, just in time for Black Friday and Christmas – a fantastic boost for local shoppers

• Power to Change is offering funding between £25,000–£50,000 for community businesses leading innovative high street regeneration projects. They aim to support those seeking to take control of high street spaces or improve governance, fostering sustainable, vibrant local economies. Apply by December 20th.

• The Peckham Festive Market on 7th December at Peckham Square is a fantastic example of high street vibrancy, with 40 stalls, live entertainment, and festive fun, showcasing the community spirit and local businesses that keep our high streets thriving.

The Important Role of Markets on our High Streets

Markets are an essential part of the high street, providing much more than just shopping opportunities. These spaces serve as community hubs, fostering social interaction, and creating vibrant, lively environments. From traditional markets to food and farmers’ markets, they give local farmers, makers, and independent brands a chance to showcase their goods and gain exposure. This blend of commerce and community is what makes markets so special.

Many iconic UK retailers began their journey at market stalls. Marks & Spencer, for example, started as a penny bazaar in Leeds' Kirkgate Market in 1884, where Michael Marks sold affordable goods , this humble beginning laid the foundation for the global brand we know today. Similarly, BrewDog, the craft beer giant, initially sold its beer from a van at local markets, which helped propel it to its current success.

Even established brands continue to embrace market stalls as a way to engage with customers. Krispy Kreme tested the UK market with pop-up stalls before launching permanent locations. Additionally, Cut & Craft, a popular restaurant chain with locations in York and Leeds, recently set up a pop-up stall at York's Christmas Market, as mentioned in news snippets above. This shows how modern, high-quality brands are re-engaging with local communities in market settings.

With continued investments in market halls and growing interest from established brands, markets remain crucial to high street regeneration. According to the HighStreetPositives survey (with over 54,000 respondents) ran in conjunction with Find Out Now, 56% of respondents considered markets as one of the most exciting recent developments in their town centres, demonstrating their role as a key driver of both community and commercial renewal.

In line with this weeks House of Lords’ report, mentioned above, which highlights the importance of local markets for footfall and community cohesion, it is clear that they are vital for the future of high streets. As the report suggests, local authorities should continue to support market traders, as markets can also act as catalysts for the high street brands of tomorrow and contribute to the unique character of towns and cities.

Esther Worboys, Director of the Place Partnership summed up the importance of markets - ‘I've worked in and around markets for over 20 years now and know the vital part they play as employers, business incubators, footfall drivers, tourist attractions and much more. Our current research for Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire District Councils is also proving what we suspected about their huge value to the local community and the mental and physical health of its residents."

As Emma Forbes, Director of Next Phase explains, ‘Successful markets deliver significant benefits and play a crucial role in regeneration. Having been involved in both securing funding and developing detailed delivery plans, I’m continually inspired by how each market project reflects the unique character of its community.  As high streets evolve to prioritise experiential retail and hospitality, markets are increasingly at the forefront of this transformation, blending tradition with modernity to create vibrant, community-led spaces’

Find Out Now: Find Out Now is a polling and market research panel with 2.8 million members. Highly profiled respondents can be targeted instantly, with over 100,000 daily responses allowing the delivery of same-day nationally representative sampling. Find Out Now are members of the British Polling Council and Market Research Society, and abide by their rules.

The Power of Collaboration: Fakenham’s High Street Revival

Fakenham’s high street is proving that collaboration can transform a town. Shopkeepers, makers, and local businesses have come together, investing time and energy to breathe new life into this small Norfolk market town. By sharing ideas, pooling resources, and promoting one another, they’ve sparked a movement that celebrates creativity and community.

At the heart of this revival is Claire Howard, a jeweller inspired by Norfolk’s landscapes, who opened her shop just over nine weeks ago. Alongside her, new businesses like a hat maker, upholsterer, and framer have joined the high street. The yarn shop, a long-standing favourite, is also part of this thriving maker community. Together, they’re offering not just unique retail experiences but workshops that enrich both locals and visitors.

Teamwork has driven initiatives like late-night Christmas shopping, an active Whatsapp group, and dedicated social media pages (@shopfakenham). A local bathroom shop offered a meeting space, while a bistro printed fliers for those without printers. The department store provided free parking, a pop-up venue, and created event maps. These acts of generosity show the incredible spirit of collaboration within Fakenham.

This community is reshaping the town, proving that teamwork can turn a small market town into a thriving hub of creativity and opportunity.

The Humbleton Onions: A High Street parable

Richard O'Neill

Founder at Richard O'Neill Storytelling

©RRONEILL 2024

In a quiet, forgotten town nestled between rolling hills and old factories, there lived a man named Trevor. He had recently returned to this town, Humbleton, a place that held fond memories of his childhood. But the town had changed since then. The once-bustling high street was now lined with shuttered shops, and the factories that had once been the lifeblood of the community stood empty and forlorn. The media referred to Humbleton as a “former industrial town,” and some even more unkindly said it had seen better days. Which to be fair it had, it was once a town where factories had hummed with life and bustling shops had lined the high street. But those days were long gone. Now, the factories were silent, and the shops were closing one by one. The streets were often empty, and the town seemed to have lost its spark.

Yet, there was one person who had not given up hope. Her name was Lisa. Lisa owned a small gift shop that had somehow managed to stay open while many others around her had shut. She had a knack for marketing, a gift she had once used in the corporate world before moving back to her hometown. But even Lisa was beginning to wonder how much longer she could keep going.

Trevor, however, unfazed by any of this had found a small, cosy bungalow with a garden and cheap rent, which suited him just fine. Upon moving in, he was visited by an old friend, Gary, who was known throughout the region as an eccentric gardener and a passionate advocate for onions. Gary, with his usual flair, spoke of onions as the unsung heroes of the kitchen, the king and queen of all vegetables, adding flavour and depth to every dish imaginable.

As a housewarming gift, Gary handed Trevor a small packet of onion seeds. “Plant these,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. “You never know, even you might be able to grow some onions.”

Trevor wasn’t much of a gardener, but he followed Gary’s instructions to the letter. He prepared the soil, planted the seeds, and watered them diligently. To his amazement, the onions not only grew they flourished. These weren’t ordinary onions; they were the size of footballs, with a few even shaped like rugby balls. Their sheer size and vibrant colour were something to behold.

Word spread quickly. First, it was the local newspaper that picked up the story. Then came the regional TV channels, followed by social media influencers who were always on the lookout for the next viral sensation. Soon, everyone was talking about the giant onions of Humbleton.

Lisa saw the buzz around the onions and sensed an opportunity. She approached Trevor with a proposal. “Why don’t you display those onions in my shop window?” she suggested. “Let’s give people a reason to come into town. We can even make a little business out of it.”

Trevor, intrigued by Lisa’s enthusiasm, agreed. Lisa’s gift shop window became a local sensation, with the giant onions drawing in curious crowds. But Lisa didn’t stop there. She convinced Trevor to collaborate on a line of T-shirts with slogans like “I ❤️ Humbleton Onions” and “Bigger, Better, Bolder Onions!” And “Eye watering fashion sense”

The T-shirts sold out within days.

Inspired by the success of the T-shirts, Lisa came up with more ideas. She persuaded local cafés to feature onion-based dishes on their menus: onion soups, onion pies and cakes, and even onion-flavoured ice cream! The cafés were packed, with locals and visitors alike coming to taste the onion-themed treats.

Seeing the town come back to life, other shop owners joined in, new shops opened. Farmers began to grow more onions to keep up with the demand, and soon, Humbleton was known far and wide as “Onion Town.”

The town’s revival didn’t stop there. A famous chef featured Humbleton onions in a popular cooking show, and tourists started flocking in to experience the “Onion Town Festival” that Lisa helped organise. What had started as a simple act of planting seeds had grown into a movement that revived an entire town.

The people of Humbleton learned a valuable lesson: sometimes, the smallest things can make the biggest difference. The town had once been defined by what it had lost, its factories, its shops, its spirit. But all it took was one person with an idea, another with a willingness to plant a seed, and a whole town ready to embrace a new opportunity.

And so, Humbleton thrived once more, not because of some grand plan or outside investment, but because they learned to see the potential in what they already had.

After all, even the humblest of vegetables, when given a chance, can turn an entire town into a place where people want to be. Every town, business, or person has something unique to offer, even if it seems ordinary at first. Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh perspective, a bit of creativity, and the willingness to believe in the possibilities. Don’t underestimate the power of small things to bring about big changes.

Or as Lisa would say, “When life gives you onions, make a town famous!”

#storytelling #highstreet

High Street Site Opportunities: Criteria and Locations

The Requirement List is a database of active retail & leisure property requirements, used by the majority of the retail property market.

Here are some of the requirements listed with them at the moment:

• The shoe retailer, Pavers are looking for new stores of 1,800 – 2,500 sq.ft  in City Centre High streets locations. Check out further info here.

• 200 Degrees continue to seek opportunities following their takeover by Caffè Nero. They are looking at shopping centres, high street, outlet centres and retail parks (1,200 -3,000sq.ft). Target locations include Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Leeds, York, Harrogate, Sheffield, Bristol, Bath, Oxford, Peterborough and Cardiff to name but a few. More info here

• The Independent Pub Company, Amber Taverns are looking for Freehold property in
  High street locations. They have published their 2025 target town here

• Boojum, the Mexican fast-casual brand, is looking for prime pitch locations with good visibility and profile in restaurant and retail hubs. You can read a Q&A with their retained property agent here

• Evapo are targeting High street or shopping centres locations between 350 - 1,000 sq.ft. You can view their target town list here

• The Society Of Alchemists are looking for new premises in Edinburgh, Covent Garden, Whitby, Chester and Windsor. More info here

You can view more active retail & leisure property requirements from the Requirement List here

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