The Federation of Small Businesses has unveiled a package of new measures to help transform life on the high street for the millions of small firms
Supporting pop-ups and temporary use initiatives for new businesses, creating mobile phone-based loyalty programmes, and showcasing local high streets in major tourism campaigns are some of the recommendations set out to revive the UK’s village, town and city centres, in a landmark new report by the FSB.
Tina McKenzie, Policy and Advocacy Chair at the FSB, said: “Our small businesses are an integral part of the high street and will be central in leading the transformation of their local economies. By providing the infrastructure, flexibility and digital connectivity that modern businesses demand, high streets will have the resources available to become resilient, dynamic hubs ready for the future.
“As well as core recommendations targeting fundamental issues for small firms on the high street, including business rates, transport and parking, this report also lays out innovative asks to ensure these businesses can survive into the future and ultimately help revive our town centres.
“High streets must be helped to evolve to keep pace with changes in consumer behaviour as well as how small firms want to work. One example of this is introducing loyalty schemes for high streets to encourage local businesses to collaborate and incentivise consumers to shop, eat, and drink locally.
“It’s been exciting to hear from many online small firms that want to take steps to open up in a bricks and mortar premises on the high street. These businesses need support to make that change – and should be given the flexibility to access pop-up and temporary units.
“Before the General Election, we were pleased to see Labour’s emphasis on improving life on the high street for small firms. It’s now time for the new Government as well as local authorities to put these plans into action and ensure that small firms on our high streets are fully supported.”
The Future of the High Street report calls for a specialised fund to be created to support pop-ups, markets, and temporary use initiatives for first-time businesses to encourage new ventures and help them set up on the high street. With more than a third of high street small businesses saying the availability of affordable commercial space is important for the future of an area, ensuring temporary spaces are available will not only fill vacant sites but also provide opportunities for small firms eager to launch in a physical premises.
The report also suggests a specialised fund to support a mobile phone-based loyalty programme for high street firms, and launching community-specific online marketplaces to showcase local shops and services.
To bring in visitors and increase footfall, local high streets should be featured in domestic and international tourism campaigns. FSB is encouraging tourism groups like VisitBritain, VisitEngland and Local Visitor Economy Partnerships to showcase the unique character and offerings of local high streets across the UK in promotions and coordination of campaigns.
The research also found:
- Plummeting consumer spending (70%), falling footfall (47%) and crime or anti-social behaviour (47%) are the biggest risks to high streets according to the small firms based on them.
- Over half of local businesses (57%) say a diverse range of independent businesses is one of the most important features for the long-term sustainability and future of their local high street.
- Good transport links are also key for the future of the high street, according to almost half (43%) of small businesses based on them.
- Around half (49%) of high street small businesses say parking facilities are managed poorly on their local high street.
- Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, most local businesses saw a range of closures on their local high street, including: retail stores (72%), hospitality (69%), banks (58%), post offices (28%), and entertainment venues (20%).
