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LEVELLING UP THE HIGH STREET
ATCM Leads on Efforts to Influence UK Government White Paper and Subsequent Bill
The Levelling Up White Paper was published on the 2nd February 2022 as ‘a moral, social and economic programme for the whole of government to spread opportunity more equally’. ATCM is leading on efforts with parliamentarians and industry to shape the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill following the publication of the White Paper. This follows three key meetings to build a comprehensive picture of the strengths and weaknesses of the White Paper.
Industry-Wide Consultation
On the 3rd March, ATCM convened a meeting of High Streets Conversations to summarise the White Paper with members across the UK to get their thoughts.
This was followed up by meeting of the High Street Task Force Sector Leaders Group, chaired by ATCM, which brought together other trade bodies such as the British Retail Consortium, British Property Federation, Hospitality, British Beer and Pub Association, National Market Traders Federation and many others. Guest speakers included Lynne Miles, Director of Policy for the Cities and Local Growth Unit at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Richard Wilcox, CEO of Falmouth BID and Chair of the South West BIDs Group.
Parliamentary Engagement
All comments were collated for a special meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Town Centres themed ‘Levelling Up the High Street’, with a handful of MPs and representatives of key players across the industry such as the John Lewis Partnership and Landsec attending. Additional insight was provided by Andrew Lowson, Executive Director of York BID and Co-Chair of the Northern BIDs Group.