Saving the High Streets!

• Clearing Up Our Funding Confusion: As we first explored the challenges facing empty retail units in Pop-Up Potential on the High Street , we made the classic mistake of assuming big government regeneration grants could instantly fund local pop-ups—only to find out the strict funding rules don't quite work that way.

• A Fresh Look at High Street Rejuvenation: Once you move past the bureaucratic funding red tape, recent expert commentary—such as a compelling letter to the Financial Times by Professor Jonathan Michie—has highlighted how the co-op advantage offers a much more practical, grassroots vision for our town centres.

• The Power of Shared Ownership: When the people who live, work, and shop in a town actually own the commercial spaces and businesses through co-operative structures, money stops leaking out to distant corporate landlords and shareholders.

• Rescuing Empty Units Together: Across the country, communities are using cooperative models to take over shuttered retail units and turn them into multi-use hubs, local produce markets, and worker-run spaces without waiting for permission from above.

• Take Back the High Street: We don't have to accept empty shops as inevitable; you can read the arguments for mutual ownership in Professor Jonathan Michie's letter in the Financial Times and explore practical toolkits via the Co-operatives UK community business hub.