Backed by
Britain’s high streets have long been the economic and social heart of our communities. While they face real pressures, they also remain spaces of adaptability and innovation. Our campaign hopes to take that knowledge, and turn it into replicable public policy.
We will explore practical solutions to help high streets adapt, thrive, and remain central to community life. From repurposing vacant spaces to encouraging a greater diversity of uses, our work will bring together policymakers, local leaders, and business representatives to develop a forward-looking strategy for high street renewal.
At the heart of this campaign is a commitment to ensuring high streets remain vibrant, sustainable, and resilient. By promoting flexible planning policies, targeted investment, and new business models, we will help shape a high street renaissance that balances economic vitality with social value.
Reports
How tech and innovation can create thriving high streets
Opening Joe Blogg’s Cafe How to get more local businesses onto the high street
Steering committee
Mark Robinson
Chair of Fellows, Radix Big Tent and former chair of the High Street Task Force
Mark is a high-profile leader in retail property, regeneration and placemaking. His position was recognised when he was appointed to lead the government’s High Street Task Force in July 2020, following his role as Revo President in 2019.
Over three decades, Mark has worked across all aspects of the industry as an adviser, investor/developer and occupier. In 2008, he co-founded Ellandi, a business that undertook more than 50 projects across the UK with a value in excess of £2.0bn. Following the acquisition of Ellandi by NewRiver REIT, Mark has continued to focus on strategic leadership, regeneration and placemaking, and is now the founder of MR.P Strategy, a leadership consultancy working with organisations across the property, regeneration and placemaking sectors.
Mark has successfully built teams and joint ventures that have won industry accolades for diversity and inclusion, entrepreneurialism, public/private partnerships and workplace culture. He is a passionate advocate for the role of community in repurposing our future places, responding to the challenges and opportunities presented by the changing market.
Diane Cunningham
Director, The Assembly Line
Diane is a highly experienced project director and consultant for places. As director of The Assembly Line she provides strategic advice and project management which helps high streets, markets and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) become more resilient as places change.
Working with the public, private and third sector she supports enterprise, develops commercial and operational plans to bring buildings back to life, leads marketing campaigns and constructs place visions, strategies and action plans through engagement with a diverse range of business and institutional stakeholders.
Diane was appointed as an expert to the government’s High Street Task Force (2020-24) and sat on the inaugural London Markets Board, created to protect the capital’s street markets.
She is a Fellow of the Institute of Place Management, awarded to those who have had a considerable impact upon place management.
Graham Soult
Retail Consultant at CannyInsights.com
Graham Soult is a high-street champion who founded the retail consultancy CannyInsights.com in 2010. Based in Gateshead but working UK-wide, Graham’s work supports independent and multiple retailers as well as landlords, local authorities, business associations and BIDs, helping businesses and places to improve their offer and messaging.
He has visited over 600 retail centres across the UK, sharing insights and helping revitalise town centres, sometimes working as a “Retail Cupid” to match businesses with vacant units.
Described by BBC Look North as “the region’s best-known retail expert” and by ITV as “a North East Mary Portas”, Graham frequently appears in the media and is a popular keynote speaker.
He also serves as chairman of Durham Business Group and is a Fellow of the Institute of Place Management. Graham holds architecture and planning degrees from Sheffield and contributed as an Expert to the government’s High Streets Task Force (2019–2024).
