Liverpool BID Company joins UK-wide partnership looking to ‘tackle the most pressing issues facing high streets and unlock fresh opportunities for growth’. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool BID Company has come to gather with BID across the UK to form a new partnership to reinvigorate high streets and retail districts.

High Streets UK brings together BID from Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds and London to “tackle the most pressing issues facing high streets and unlock fresh opportunities for growth”.

Its core objective is to develop programmes and policy recommendations which will enable UK high streets to drive local and national growth. It will also align with the Government’s focus on creating a productive and sustainable economy.

This group will meet quarterly to share learnings and discuss solutions to common challenges faced by high streets across the country. These include the rise of retail crime and anti-social behaviour to an unwieldy business rates system and rigid planning laws.

Collectively, the high streets involved represent more than 5,000 businesses, contribute £34.7bn in GVA each year and welcome more than 473m visitors annually.

Liverpool BID Company represents more than 800 levy-paying businesses in the city centre across three distinct BIDs. They are the Retail & Leisure BID, Culture & Commerce BID and the recently launched Accommodation BID.

READ MORE: CBRE doubles its office space in Liverpool

READ MORE: Overwhelming support for Southport Pier restoration

Chief executive Bill Addy said: “Our high streets have become much more than retail hubs, they are places where our communities meet, gather, play, shop, eat and explore.

“A true mixed use high street offers a perfect vehicle to drive national and local growth. Business Improvement Districts across the larger cities represent the UK’s flagship high streets, who are facing similar challenges and opportunities. 

“Together, through High Streets UK we have the opportunity to add our collective voice of over 5,000 UK businesses to support targeted policy change that will help our high streets rise to the occasion.”

Dee Corsi, chair of High Streets UK and chief executive of New West End Company, added: “We know that thriving, flagship high streets can be powerful drivers of economic growth and employment, with the positive halo effects felt across the country.

“With the right policy environment, these destinations can contribute much more than just economic growth. They can be places where communities congregate, businesses flourish, and international investment flows.”