Business in the Community Healthy High Streets in Scotland Access to business expertise and resource to help high streets realise their potential Pete Vallance

Business in the Community Business in the Community 30 years ago…..…and now 1981 Toxteth & Brixton Riots in South London Collaboration of businesses came together: “healthy back streets lead to healthy high streets” HRH Prince Charles (Duke of Rothesay / Prince of Wales) as President Over 800 of the UK’s largest businesses Collaborating on responsible business projects Scotland's business-led charity, focusing on promoting responsible business practice.

Business in the Community Scottish Business in the Community Partnership Advisory Group representation: Scotland’s Town Centre Review Business Connector support from Scottish Government to roll out in four areas linked to town centre regeneration Pro-active recruitment to increase Scotland applications to the Healthy High Streets Programme. Linking Business Connectors into Healthy High Street towns as and when they are recruited e.g. Hamilton – Scottish Gas Connector Regularly attends the Healthy High Streets partner meetings The Healthy High Street team focus on supporting the Town Centre Partnership / BID area. SBC and Business Connectors have a responsibility for the wider business engagement in the area and connect to the local community adding a broader dimension to the work. e.g. Abellio

Business in the Community Healthy High Street Programme Increase footfall by 10% By bringing together local businesses to improve the attractiveness of the High Street as a place to visit Reduce empty units by 20% By encouraging local enterprises, community organisations and individuals to use space creatively Support the creation of 3,000 jobs By installing new job- creating enterprises in empty units, and helping to grow established High Street organisations Over three years, the Healthy High Streets programme will work in 100 High Streets across the UK to:

Business in the Community Programme Vision Businesses see a Healthy High Street as part of their local manager’s remit, it is embedded into their role profile Brands see high streets as a key part of their marketing mix Every high street has a business-led partnership Every high street is relevant to its local community need High Streets are seen to be successful when they increase footfall and reduce the number of empty units Business, the Community and the Local Authority feel Pride returning to their town as they re imagine their High Street In 100 towns over three years reduce empty premises by 20%, increase footfall by 10% and create 3,000 jobs on the high street

Business in the Community Town selection criteria Towns to apply to join Healthy High Streets High concentration of Business partners Established town team/town centre partnership or BID Serves areas of high deprivation Potential for businesses to make an impact

Business in the Community Healthy High Street Coverage in Scotland Year One Dunfermline Elgin Inverness Year Two Galashiels* Hamilton* Kilmarnock* Kirkwall * Business Connector areas

Business in the Community Our approach…

Business Success Business is providing skills and resources enabling the High Street to “operate as a business” Business has brought forward maintenance spend and investment in space Store Leaders have been set up for success with training and clear ambitions Business actively supports local partnerships which deliver concrete, measurable improvements to the High Street High Street Champions convene corporate business monthly to review and make sense of planned activity Business leaders are providing context, purpose, vision and direction Effective Towns are focused on driving footfall whilst bringing vacant premises back into use 1/ Get your own shop right 3/ Provide Leadership 2/ Collaborate 4/ Pull in Resource £4m of investment and resources have been leveraged into 33 towns in year one

Business in the Community What has happened so far? Relevant action plans developed for each town by local leaders Targeted initiatives: events programmes, car parking, trading hours Measurement framework and KPIs monitored quarterly

Business in the Community Insights and activities from the first year Leadership development: Increased participation on BID Boards and securing positive BID votes Improved internal business networks Footfall: Year round Events Car Parking / Transport Initiatives Trading Hours aligned Reducing Vacancies: Collaboration with local landlords and agents Incentives to reduce vacancies Job creation: New corporate openings Santander new business development Employability programmes Pride: Town centre clean ups Local charity links Specific town events Collaboration is key: Businesses Town partnership Local Authority

Business in the Community What’s have we achieved to date? Footfall: over 50% of towns have already seen an improvement in footfall Empty premises: 5% reduction in empty premises Jobs: 1,700 jobs created Media coverage: 9,077,593 reach

Business in the Community What next? Support 100 High Streets over three years to reach their potential through access to business expertise Drive improvement from collaboration between businesses, town partnerships and Local Authorities Broaden corporate partner base and establish Healthy High Streets as the “go to “ business programme Cultural change to over 12,000 local leaders in our partner businesses Develop relationships with similar minded organisations across the UK to reduce duplication & enhance local community impact through a joined-up approach

Business in the Community Why are these brands investing in this programme? Leadership Reputation People It’s good for business

Business in the Community Contacts Pete Vallance, Head of Region Healthy High Streets Programme Business in the Community seconded from The Co-operative Group Elaine Gorman Scottish Business in the Community

Business in the Community 137 Shepherdess Walk London N1 7RQ T: +44(0) E:

Business in the Community