The Portas Review, published today, outlines a number of recommendations that seek to aid in the transformation and maintenance of Britain’s high streets. Reflecting ResPublica’s core activity surrounding the promotion of diverse markets and the grounding of economic processes into human and local activity, the High Street review urges Government to consider how changes in policy can cultivate a lively, social and diverse commercial space. The Review’s central and overarching themes encompass the support for a wide variety of independent retailers and the empowerment of local businesses and communities to direct the character of their nearby streets.

The Review forwards a new “Community Right to Try,” a recommendation adopted from ResPublica’s "Right to Retail" report released in May of this year. Building on the rights and opportunities set out in the recent Localism Act, the “Right to Try” would extend the “Right to Buy” to those who may simply want to make use of an empty property, but do not have the resources to come to own it. ResPublica’s recommendations were also reflected in reference to community involvement in the local planning system. The Review promotes a collaborative approach to the planning process, involving communities at the outset and offering the right resources to act upon their concerns.

ResPublica also endorses a number of other conclusions and recommendations that stem from both "Right to Retail" and ResPublica’s submission to the Portas Review, "Towards a 21st Century Agora", co-produced with Urban Pollinators Ltd, Action for Market Towns, Empty Shops Network, Incredible Edible Todmorden, Meanwhile Space CIC, MyCard, Research 00:/ and Wigan Plus.

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