Stockport will receive a package of expert advice and support to deliver long-term transformation within in the town, the High Streets Task Force has announced.
Stockport is one of 68 local authorities across England set to receive the assistance of the High Streets Task Force to address local challenges affecting high streets in the borough.
The Task Force, which was appointed by government in 2019, will provide these locations with expert consultancy and training, working directly with local government and facilitating engagement with communities and civic societies.
Mark Robinson, High Streets Task Force Chair, said:
“Over the last 2 years, the Task Force has witnessed the resilience of high streets and the diversity of their communities. We’ve engaged over 4,000 placemakers so far and I’m delighted we’ll be supporting a further 68 local authorities to consider their own ambitious plans for recovery and long-term growth.
“We know from our work that high streets thrive when businesses, councils and community champions work together. The Task Force aims to provide that impetus to partnerships and to help them learn quickly from other local success stories.”
Support will begin with a visit this Summer to one location put forward by the local authority as most able to benefit from the aid. Local authorities were selected based on the need for support in each area, local deprivation and inequality and the effects of Covid-19 on the high street. The high street or district centre set to receive support from the Task Force has yet to be announced.
Matt Colledge, Director of the High Streets Task Force, said:
“Our approach to support is designed in recognition that every place is unique. Whether it’s local heritage, a town’s infrastructure and built environment, the broader needs of its community, or its unique culture, services and attractions. We start by meeting with local stakeholders to get a deeper understanding of their place, so we can offer advice that really helps.
“Of course, places haven’t been waiting for the Task Force before getting started. They’re already well underway delivering investment and high street transformation, and – whether it’s through our data provision, training programmes or expert advice – we want to help ensure their work provides the greatest local impact.”
Downstream from Stockport along the River Mersey, Cheshire West and Chester Council were part of the High Street Task Force Pilot programme; Cllr Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy & Regeneration in the borough said of the work done in Ellesmere Port:
“We began working with the High Streets Task Force in Ellesmere Port, as part of its pilot programme in 2020. With their advice and support we began work to establish a framework to develop the vision for Ellesmere Port, based on the principles of partnership and working closely with the community to deliver on our collective ambitions for the area.
“Ellesmere Port is a proud industrial town on the River Mersey and like many places has faced challenges with empty units and encouraging people to the town centre. Building on our work with the Task Force, we’ve recently supported a new programme of events, centred around our local market, and there is great positivity in the community about our future vision.“
Claire’s Accessories enters administration 
The Entertainer becomes employee-owned 
Stockport Market welcomes new traders