The Platform Places initiative is urging the government to support a £350m buyout fund, planned to revive 200 neglected retail properties in the UK.
The coalition, which is backed by the government’s high street taskforce, is calling on ministers to provide £100m in grants, which would help to transform neglected areas into community-owned events spaces, youth facilities and arts centres.
Further proposals include 50% business rates relief for projects led by community owned groups, and support for councils to use compulsory purchase orders to tackle derelict or vacant buildings.
Such proposals are designed to tackle the issue of empty buildings spoiling town centres which reduces footfall into high streets.
Rebecca Trevalyan, facilitator of Platform Places and co-founder of the Library of Things, commented: “Our high streets are not in decline. We just can’t easily get into the buildings and spaces to do the things we need to do to make them thrive.
“Accepting the recommendations in this paper would be a great start, but the key to unlocking the potential of our high streets, is collaboration between all those with an interest in their future.”
