Driving Regeneration on the High Street
The Restoring the High Street Conference 2026 unites experts to explore sustainable regeneration strategies and unique approaches to improving local economies. This event will leave attendees with actionable insights enabling them to create vibrant, safe, and inclusive high streets through innovative partnerships and community engagement.
Supporters:
Reimagining the Future of Our High Streets
The high street remains the heart of every local community, acting as a hub for economic activity, social connection, and essential services. However, years of underinvestment, changing consumer behaviour, difficult trading conditions, and the rising cost of living have contributed to significant decline across Britain’s high streets. The high street is undergoing a period of transformation with national policy initiatives like Pride in Place and High Street Innovation funding creating new opportunities to reimagine high streets as thriving community-led spaces.
Join us at the Restoring the High Street Conference 2026 to explore how national strategy is being translated into effective local action. Hear from leading policymakers, local authorities, businesses, and community organisations on revitalising town centres, supporting independent businesses, improving safety, and delivering innovative, community-led solutions.
What’s Included
Value for money
Keynotes
Receive guidance and support from stakeholders on the latest national guidance for supporting the protection, restoration and future development of UK highstreets.
Case Studies
Investigate strategies for improving community engagement, supporting independent retailers, and enhancing high street development.
Network
Connect online with your peers throughout the day, share experiences, discuss ideas, and celebrate successes.
CPD
Gain 8 hours of CPD points towards your target and continue your own professional development in just one day.
Don’t miss out
Why You Should Attend
Agenda
Tackling Retail Crime and Regenerating the High Street
Professor Nigel Morgan, Professor of Social Sustainability, Manchester Metropolitan University
Session details coming soon…
Catriona Maclay, Associate Director, Practice & Innovation, Power to Change
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Understanding the implications of Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution for towns and town centre management and outlining what towns can do to prepare
- Exploring the opportunities and challenges devolution may present for high streets, local economies, and place-making
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The 25 issues and 4 R’s
- Considering responsibility and leadership in delivering remediation and long-term town centre improvement
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Examining the importance of strengthening partnerships to drive sustainable regeneration
Graham Galpin, Senior Fellow, The Institute of Place Management, Thought Leader, The High Street Consultancy
- Understanding the importance of accessible healthcare services for improving the healthcare system and revitalising local communities
- Outlining the impact of health hubs on reducing inequality and improving outcomes
- Strategies for integrating health, wellbeing, and social care into high street spaces
Gemma Thomas, Director of Strategy, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
- Understanding the key role the nighttime economy plays in supporting culture, employment, and community vibrancy
- Adapting high street nighttime offerings to reflect changing consumer behaviours and lifestyle trends
- Ensuring safety and accessibility are central to nighttime economy strategies
- Building strong partnerships between councils, businesses, and law enforcement to support sustainable growth
Mike Kill, CEO, Nighttime Industries Association
- Understanding the role of young people in shaping high street regeneration projects and initiatives
- Strategies for creating safe, inclusive, and accessible spaces for youth participation
- Highlighting successful youth-led projects that have driven footfall and community cohesion
- Building partnerships between local authorities, schools, and youth organisations to sustain long-term engagement
Joe Barratt Executive Director, Place for Youth
This session will provide you with the opportunity to discuss the main challenges you face in creating strong relationships with local councils, businesses, and community organisations in order to implement successful regeneration projects. We encourage you to share how you are currently working in partnership on your existing regeneration initiatives and your strategies for success. Take this time to share your experiences and network with senior colleagues.
- Attracting, incubating and retaining the most promising local high street entrepreneurs
- Tackling persistent vacancy challenges across high streets with fragmented ownership
- Unlocking social and commercial value from underutilised council-owned assets
- Proactively shaping the high street tenant mix within any town, city or regional centres
- Matching different incubator models to regeneration and economic development priorities
Alex Schalgman, Co Founder, Save The High Street
- Exploring how meanwhile use can act as a catalyst for long-term regeneration and investment
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Building partnerships between local authorities, landlords, and community organisations to unlock vacant spaces
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Understanding the challenges of setting up a meanwhile use space and how to overcome them
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Measuring the social, economic, and cultural impact of meanwhile use initiatives
Emily Berwyn, Executive Director, Meanwhile Space
- Understanding crime and anti-social behaviour on the high street and the key drivers behind it
- Outlining the impact of theft and insecurity on local businesses
- Strengthening partnerships between the police, council, and local businesses to tackle crime on the high street
- Strategies for building stronger, resilient communities through engagement on the high street
Hannah Wadey, CEO, Safer Business Network
Lucy Whing, Policy Advisor, British Retail Consortium
Josh Nicholson, Head of Programme (Housing and Communities), Centre for Social Justice
Professor Nigel Morgan, Professor of Social Sustainability, Manchester Metropolitan University
Get in Touch
What previous delegates say
Testimonials
I thought this session was really insightful and interesting. It gave a good overview of how different high streets have been impacted in different areas and what programmes have tackled the issues.
Project Manager
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
This was a fascinating insight into how to progress towards an inclusive functional and attractive High Street/City Centre.
Councillor for Exwick Ward
Exeter City Council
The conference was highly engaging, offering valuable insights from industry experts and providing an excellent opportunity to collaborate with other towns across the country facing similar challenges.
Town Centre Project Officer
Littlehampton Town Council
Book Now
Secure Your Place Today
PUBLIC SECTOr
£395
For public sector employees only. Please use your work email for verification.
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
£355
For employees of charities, social enterprises, and voluntary organisations only. Please use your work email for verification.
PRIVATE SECTOR
£520
Private sector places are strictly limited and available on a first come, first serve basis.
