On 5 September, LSE Cities hosted ‘No High Street Left Behind’, a masterclass organised by the Association of Town Centre Management. David Morris from the Department for Communities & Local Government provided further details of the package of support available to Town Teams across England, in the wake of the Mary Portas review on the future of the UK’s high streets. He explained the thinking behind the additional £5.5m which the government has made available to “inspire innovation and confidence across the nation” at a time of deep economic recession.
Also featuring speakers Gilbert Rochecouste, founder of The Village Well, an Australian-based placemaking consultancy, and Neil McInroy, Chief Executive of the Manchester-based Centre for Local Economic Strategies, the event looked at the future of towns and high streets in the UK and what lessons could be drawn from abroad. Presentations of the event have been made available.