High Streets Task Force: IPM Reflects on Five Years of Revitalising England’s High Streets

In July 2018, an Expert Panel was launched by former High Streets Minister Jake Berry MP, then-Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG). The panel was tasked with identifying some of the most pressing challenges faced by England’s high streets and town centres and proposing practical actions central government could take to support their revival.

Chaired by retail leader Sir John Timpson, the panel brought together a diverse group of experts from the retail, design, property, and community sectors, as well as local government. Their collective aim was to provide fresh, actionable insights to help high streets adapt to evolving consumer habits and economic pressures.

One of the Expert Panel’s key recommendations was to establish a High Streets Task Force to provide a coordinated voice for town centres, expert support, encourage the sharing and use of data in decision-making, and form and maintain local networks and partnerships. Sir John Timpson was particularly keen for the Task Force to support “inspirational local leaders, working with all sections of their community” who could “put the buzz back into their town centre.”

Manchester Metropolitan University’s Institute of Place Management led a consortium bid to run the High Streets Task Force on behalf of the Government and was awarded the contract on 24 June 2019. The consortium included universities (Manchester Metropolitan University and Cardiff University), professional bodies and networks (Institute of Place Management, Royal Town Planning Institute, Landscape Institute, Design Council, Association of Town and City Management, Civic Voice, The BID Foundation), data providers (MRI OnLocation, Maybe*), and support organisations (PwC, MyKnowledgeMap, and The Teenage Market).

After more than five years of dedicated effort, the High Streets Task Force (HSTF) has concluded its programme, leaving a legacy of positive transformation across England. Later today, many of the Task Force consortium partners, experts, beneficiaries, and government officials will gather at Manchester Metropolitan University to celebrate and reflect on the programme’s important work. Attendees will hear directly from people who have benefited from the programme in locations such as Bolsover, Darlington, Grimsby, Hamlet Court Road (Southend), and Rochdale.

The consortium worked with 150 local authorities and engaged thousands of stakeholders in high street transformation activities, training programmes, and workshops, delivering over 91% of its promised services despite disruptions caused by COVID-19.