Speciality Food Magazine -November/December 2025

3 specialityfoodmagazine.com communities and choosing renewal over division.” Key initiatives as part of the plans include: • Community Right to Buy: Handing local people the power to buy local assets, helping to turn around derelict pubs, create newparks, and regenerate spaces. • Compulsory purchase powers: Allowing communities in England to buy boarded up shops and abandoned businesses, allowing new start-ups to thrive. • Power to block unwanted shops: Empowering councils to say no to stores such as new betting or vape shops. • Giving power to residents: Local organisations and community groups will be included in decisions on how themoney should be spent. Pride in Place funding will be delivered in England, Scotland and Wales, with corresponding funding provided to Northern Ireland. PrimeMinister, Sir Keir Starmer, said, “For too long, people have T he organisation’s CEO, Andrew Goodacre, said themulti- billion Pride in Place initiative would inject much-needed funds into the heart of communities. “Our hardworkingmembers want to be proud of their shops, and want to be proud of their high streets. We have been asking for more investment in local places based on the needs of local businesses and the wider community,” he added. “Based on this proposal, it looks like we have been heard, and high street businesses will receive the kind of support they need. It would be ideal if we could combine this news with lower business rates that would allow businesses to also invest in their local area.” Alex Schlagman, founding partner of SaveTheHighStreet.org, calls themove a “huge opportunity”. “In addition to the £5 billion funding, it puts newpowers in the hands of the people who often care and know most about their local areas. At SaveTheHighStreet.org, we’re here to helpmake this programme a success, supporting local independents, community champions and anyone elsemaking a stand for stronger high streets around the UK.” Under the plans 169 areas will be given £2million every year for a decade, with a further 95 areas gaining an immediate £1.5million to upgrade public spaces. The Government says communities will be “given the power to revitalise their neglected high streets, create watched their towns and streets decline – powerless to stop boarded-up shops and neglected parks. That ends now. We’re investing in the UK’s future, by backing the true patriots that build our communities up in neighbourhoods across every corner of the country.” Retailers themselves have called the announcement encouraging. “Anything that shows the Government recognises the importance of the high street and, more importantly, the communities that depend on them, has to be welcomed,” saidMark Kacary, owner of The Norfolk Deli. “The idea that local areasmight finally have some say in how their high streets evolve is long overdue.” "When you run a business in a small townwhere charity shops and cafés dominate, the thought of a plan that could help encouragemore diversity –more true independents – is refreshing. Independent businesses bring life, character, and individuality to an area. Without them, every town ends up looking like a carbon copy of new spaces for young people, and take back control of derelict pubs”. “For far too long, communities have been dictated to rather than be in control of their own destiny. This marks a newway of governing. By choosing renewal over decline, this Government is delivering lasting change working people will feel,” a spokesperson said. Steve Reed, secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, added, “When people step out of their front doors, they know their communities are struggling. They see shuttered pubs, fading high streets and their local areas in decline. Yes, communities have been stretched – but they haven’t given up. They’re working hard tomake things better, and we’re backing them. “The Government is putting power into their hands so local people decide how best to restore pride in their neighbourhoods, not us inWestminster. That’s what real patriotism looks like: building up our Pride in Place programme invests billions in British high streets Bira (British Independent Retailers Association) has welcomed the Government's announcement of a new programme that will offer the kind of support high street businesses need to thrive. the next. And while familiaritymight be comforting, it’s hardly inspiring.” Handled well, he thinks, the plan could be a turning point in town centres, where local pride and independent spirit genuinely shape shopping for the future. “But if the decision-making isn’t transparent and inclusive, we riskmissing yet another opportunity to rebuild high streets that truly reflect the communities they serve.” Thriving high streets and town centres benefit everyone, agrees TinaMcKenzie, policy chair at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). But tomake this plan happen, there needs to be a clear vision for each individual area, offering a strongmix of shops, services and experiences. “Many small business owners say that a diverse offering of independent businesses is vital for the future of the area,” she said. “More investment, along with giving communities, including small firms, the opportunity to havemore input into the future of an area is a positivemove.” It’s vital that changes are underpinned by the right policy, says Tina, with the “punishing” business rates systemhaving a huge impact on small firms. “At Budget, it’s crucial that there are targeted reductions to business rates for small firms, with an increase to the Small Business Rate Relief threshold in England, from its current level of £12,000 to £25,000," she says. "This would takemore SMEs out of the rates system, allowing them to grow and invest.”