IPM to submit evidence to Parliament’s high streets inquiry

The House of Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has launched an open call for evidence as part of a new parliamentary inquiry examining how England’s high streets can be revitalised. The Institute of Place Management will be submitting evidence to the inquiry, drawing on more than two decades of research, policy and practice in place management.

The inquiry will explore some of the biggest challenges facing high streets today, including the growth of vacant premises and clusters of betting shops, vape shops and other retail uses, the effectiveness of government initiatives such as Pride in Place, changes to business rates, and the powers available to local authorities to regenerate town and city centres.

The Committee is seeking evidence on what has worked in different places across England and what lessons can be applied more widely to support thriving, resilient and community-focused high streets. Over the past two decades, the Institute has worked with governments, local authorities, businesses and communities across the UK and internationally to develop evidence-based approaches to improving high streets and town centres. This includes leading the research that underpinned the Government’s High Streets Task Force and continuing to support places through research, professional development and policy engagement.

Ian Harvey, Head of the Institute of Place Management and also a representative on the UK Government’s High Street Strategy Expert panel, said:

“High streets remain at the heart of our communities, but there is no single solution to the challenges they face. Successful places combine strong local leadership, active partnerships, community involvement and long-term stewardship alongside investment in the physical environment. We welcome the Committee’s inquiry and look forward to sharing evidence from our research and practical experience of working with places across England. We hope our submission will help inform policies that enable high streets to thrive for the benefit of businesses, residents and communities.”

The Committee is accepting written evidence until 7 September 2026 before hearing oral evidence from experts, practitioners and stakeholders as part of its inquiry.

IPM will draw on its extensive research, national networks and practical experience to contribute evidence on the factors that create successful places, including place leadership, partnership working, community engagement, governance, town centre management and long-term regeneration.

We are keen to ensure our submission reflects both the latest research and the experiences of practitioners working in places across England. We therefore invite IPM members and partners to share evidence, examples and case studies that could help inform our response.

In particular, we would welcome examples that address one or more of the following questions:

• What impact are clusters of similar businesses, such as betting shops, vape shops or barbers, having on high streets and community pride in your area?
• Have planning powers been used successfully (or unsuccessfully) to shape the mix of businesses on the high street?
• How well are Trading Standards and other enforcement agencies addressing issues affecting high streets?
• What examples of successful high street regeneration have you seen, and what made them successful?
• Which approaches could realistically be replicated elsewhere, and what conditions are needed for success?
• What has been the impact of public realm improvements, such as pedestrianisation, street furniture, greening or design changes?
• Have High Street Rental Auctions, Compulsory Purchase Orders, the Community Right to Buy or other local powers been used effectively in your area?
• How have improvements to the high street affected community pride, belonging and participation?
• What impact have recent business rates changes had on businesses in your town or city?
• Are government initiatives, including Pride in Place, reaching the communities that need them most?
• What further action should government take to support thriving, resilient and well-managed high streets?

We welcome examples from towns, cities, neighbourhoods and districts across England, including both successful initiatives and lessons from approaches that have proved more challenging.

Please send your examples, evidence or case studies to Josh Harris at ipm@mmu.ac.uk by 31st August 2026 to help inform IPM’s submission to Parliament.