Positive High Street Stories & Updates from HSP

Hi Everyone,

It’s been a wonderful but very busy few months for HighStreetPositives -from our London launch to preparing for the Darlington Launch event in a few weeks time. I’m so grateful for the conversations, connections, and support that keeps us growing, and for everyone who’s joining us to celebrate and strengthen our high streets.

Who We Are

HighStreetPositives is for everyone who loves our high streets -from BIDs, councils, landlords, agents, retailers, independent businesses, hospitality and entertainment operators, to passionate community groups, architects and creatives.

The story we tell about the high street matters. When the media is negative, only 35% of people want to visit. When the media is positive, that jumps to 85%. We’re here to flip the script -with data, stories, and visibility that put the life back into our high streets.

Our high streets are more than shopfronts. They’re community hubs, places where friendships form, families meet, and people feel connected -for everyone especially young families, teenagers, older generations, and anyone less mobile. But change won’t happen in silos. We bring together all the voices shaping the high street, with positive energy and practical ideas that lead to action.

We’ve built a network of 16,000+ LinkedIn followers, 4,000+ engaged newsletter readers (55% open rate), and a growing membership of decision makers and doers. We’re proudly supported by Nexus Planning, Greenwoods LLP, The Mosaic Partnership, Enterprise Nation, Kesslers London, and Widds Signs -and are media partners with GRO Retail (formerly Completely Retail MarketPlace) and contributing regularly to BIRA’s communications.

Real-Life Events – Growing the Initiative

Our London launch event, hosted by Lush, was a buzzing evening of ideas, connections, and positivity - with brilliant speakers including Iain Nicholson chairing the event, Rob Pearson (Director, Nexus Planning), Polly Dhaliwal (COO, Enterprise Nation), Kasey Swithenbank (Head of Retail, Lush), Robin Osterley (CEO, Charity Retail Association), Jessica Hill (Leisure & Hospitality Associate, Savills), Sophie Johnson (Insight & Analysis Manager, The Crown Estate), Mo Aswat (CEO & Co-founder, The Mosaic Partnership) and Jonathan De Mello(from JDM Retail).

Next up: Darlington on 11th September -and the line-up is already shaping up to be just as inspiring, with Iain Nicholson (The Vacant Shops Academy) returning as chair, Mark Robinson (Founder, MR.P Strategy; Chair, Hartlepool Development Corporation; former Chair, High Street Task Force; Co-founder, Ellandi), Graham Soult (Retail Consultant, CannyInsights and high street champion), Sharon Appleby (CEO, Sunderland BID), and more voices to be announced soon.

If you’ve got a venue idea or want to help us do something local to you, please send me a message. I am working on our event pipeline at the moment.

Membership Community

We now have over 90 founding members who share our belief in a thriving, positive future for our high streets. Founding membership is just £100 per year or £10 a month (prices rise this autumn), and joining gives you the chance to:

• Get first dibs on tickets for real-life HSP events

• Connect with a supportive network of people passionate about high streets – councils, landlords, bids, planners, agents, retailers, independents, creatives, and more

• Share case studies, ideas, and insights to inspire others and shape what works

• Regular virtual meet-ups

• Be part of something meaningful, helping high streets fight loneliness, isolation, and negative narratives

• Show your support with a beautiful digital badge – proudly display your part in this growing, positive movement

• Have a voice in the early days of HSP, helping shape our direction and priorities

If cost is an issue please get in touch.

Corporate Support & Event Sponsorship

Our independent work only grows with the support of brilliant partners. Huge huge thanks to our amazing founding supporters: Nexus Planning, Greenwoods Legal LLP, The Mosaic Partnership, Enterprise Nation, Kesslers London, and Widds Signs – and to Ocasta and Nexus Planning for sponsoring our London event. A special shoutout to Darlington Borough Council for backing our next one.

We are actively seeking more supporters to help make HighStreetPositives financially sustainable and enable us to continue growing our impact. If your organisation – or one you know – would like to align with HighStreetPositives, sponsor an event, or become a corporate supporter, I’d love to talk. Let’s explore how we can make a positive impact together on the high street.

Thank you so much for following HighStreetPositives – together we’re helping our high streets become stronger, more welcoming, and full of positive energy.

Please keep sharing your good news stories about the high street and let others know about us so they can subscribe to our newsletter for free. Our next newsletter will be sent out next week – don’t miss it!

Thank you so much,
Laura

Join Us - HighStreetPositives