Historic England asks people what they love about their high street

As part of a national conversation about the future of high streets, Historic England is asking people what they love about their high street.

The public body is asking people to share what they love about high streets over social media, which will come together to build a national picture of what makes high streets special and what matters most for their future.

Historic England commissioned YouGov to find out how people feel about their local high street, with 73% of people saying their high street is important to them and 40% saying they feel motivated to take action to help their high street’s future.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: ‘What I love about high streets is how they bring people together. Throughout history high streets have been our gathering places; centres of commerce, conversation and community. They help make where we live special. Nearly half of all high streets were built before 1919. They are one of the most visited and enjoyed types of heritage in the country, a connection to our past and a key to our future. We know they are struggling, and their future is uncertain, and we think this is a timely moment to ask people about their future and consider the part we can all play in supporting these important places.’

Historic England is tracking public sentiment on high streets over the four years of their High Streets Heritage Action Zone scheme.

The public body is aiming to gain insights into what people value about high streets and what they hope for their future as important social, commercial and physical spaces.

Historic England will then create a programme of discussions, commissions and experiments that further explore the future of high streets, with the aim of empowering people to take action for the future of high streets.

The consultation is currently taking place on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn using #HighStreetLove, and will end on Sunday 26 September.

In related news, the City of Edinburgh Council’s Craigmillar Town Centre development was recognised at the Scottish Home Awards, winning the ‘Housing Regeneration Project of the Year’ category.

Photo by Kai Bossom