Save The High Street, an industry-led movement with an advisory board of more than 200 High Street businesses and retail experts has been commissioned by Ashfield District Council to advise Hucknall’s retailers. The council says that the six-month programme will “help businesses unlock new ideas and fresh approaches to increase footfall in the town’s retail areas and make the most of trading opportunities.”
Funds for the scheme are being made available as part of Ashfield’s £3.2 million share of the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, designed to “build pride in local communities and increase life chances” as part of the Levelling Up agenda.
Save The High Street will work with individual businesses in Hucknall Town Centre, Annesley Road and Watnall Road area. Each business in the target area will have access to “JO”, described as “a unique business support tool used in a range of ‘accelerator’ programmes to help make the most of trading opportunities.”
The council’s executive director of Place, John Bennett, said: “High Streets up and down the country have changed significantly in recent years. Retailers and businesses have been faced with some big challenges – the surge in online shopping, the fall-out from the pandemic and cost of living crisis. Ashfield’s High Streets have not been immune from that.
“We know how important High Streets are to our communities and it’s why we’re excited about the opportunities this partnership with Save The High Street gives businesses in Hucknall.
“Our ambition is to make Ashfield a great place to live, work and visit. We continue to secure significant investment across the district and this programme is another example of our determination to help revitalise our High Streets and town centres, following on from the support made available to businesses in Sutton and Kirkby through the Council’s business support service and Enterprising Ashfield.”
For the next six months, experts from Save The High Street will be available to “deep dive” into each business to find out what help and support can benefit them most. There will also be access to an online event where top tips from across the UK will be shared. Retailers and business owners in Hucknall can contact the team directly by emailing .
