Northwich has been announced as one of the 100 towns across the UK to receive support from some of the UK's biggest brands
· Wilko joins Corporate Partners Boots UK, EE,
Exterion Media, Greggs, Marks & Spencer and Santander to support the
transformation of UK High Streets
Business in the Community’s Healthy High
Streets programme aims to increase footfall by 10%, reduce the number of vacant
properties by 20% and stimulate the creation of new jobs in 100 towns over
three years.
The programme first launched in June 2014 and
is backed by some of the UK’s biggest high street brands - Boots UK, EE,
Exterion Media, Greggs, Marks & Spencer and Santander and new partner
Wilko.
Northwich is one of 33 new High Streets
selected for the programme across the UK today, bringing the total number of
participating High Streets to the programme target of 100 towns.
It will receive a bespoke package of support,
including access to skills and expertise, and dedicated High Street Champions
from supporting businesses who will work together with the local partnership
team, local authority and relevant local partners to devise an action plan to
address the specific challenges facing the town.
The impact results for the 3 year programme
will be announced in July 2017. Over the last year of the programme, it has brought support and resources worth
£17 million* from its corporate partners into 67 UK high streets.
Commenting on the programme’s expansion,
Robin Foale, Managing Director, Santander Universities UK, and chair of the
Healthy High Streets programme said: "Congratulations to Northwich on being chosen to be part of the Healthy
High Streets programme.
"This is a great opportunity to work with the
business partners and the local High Street Champions to transform your town
and create a thriving, vibrant centre for the local community.”
Northwich BID Manager Jane Hough is delighted
that the town has been accepted onto the programme.
"I’m absolutely thrilled that Northwich has
been accepted onto the initiative and the team here at the BID can’t wait to
lead on its delivery on behalf of the town.
"Healthy High Streets will really help
galvanise and transform Northwich further over the coming year and when you
look at the developments nearing completion too, you can’t help but feel
excited about the future of the town.
"Make sure you keep an eye on the Northwich
BID Twitter account and Visit Northwich on Facebook for the latest news,
updates and developments.”
Business in the Community’s Peter Donohoe
said: "One
of the most powerful ways for business to make an impact in communities is by creating high streets that are vibrant places to live, work
and do business. It has been heartening to see first-hand the practical
difference that collaborative, business-led action can make on UK high streets
over these past two years. While there is much to be proud of about our Healthy
High Streets Programme we also know that there is more work to be done. We
warmly welcome Wilko as programme
partners and look forward to
working with them to create lasting change.”
Business in the Community is a member of the
Government’s Future High Streets Forum and supports the High Street Pledge. The
pledge, which was launched on 7 July, is currently supported by over 40 of the
UK’s leading businesses. They are committed to using the leadership expertise,
skills and resources of their business to help UK high streets achieve their
full potential.
To find out more about Business in the Community’s
high streets work visit, please visit the Official Website: www.bitc.org.uk/healthyhighstreets
* The
value of investment over the last year is £17 million, made up of investment in property upgrades
in Healthy High Street towns, the cost of High Street Champions time across the
67 towns and senior management support from across the partner businesses.