HIGH streets in Warwickshire are recovering according to a new report.
Removal of the ‘Plan B’ restrictions are helping spend and footfall recovery across the area’s towns and city centres, the report from Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP,) has highlighted.
In Leamington a variety of summer events and promotions, including BID Leamington’s Food and Drink Festival, helped visitor numbers to return to 2019 levels.
BID also took the opportunity to test future ideas, such as trailing pedi-bikes in partnership with the University of Warwick’s Creative Futures initiative.
Work has also started on the first project of the Creative Quarter – a major regeneration programme in Leamington’s Old Town.
BID executive director Stephanie Kerr said its key priorities to collaborate, create, innovate, and celebrate alongside making the town centre a community centre has been its philosophy for 10 years which is more important than ever.
She said: “We should demonstrate best practice, support organisations to change and promote a culture of inclusion which, in turn, will lead to deeper collaboration, more balanced outcomes, and greater community buy-in.
“The green agenda is now – and collaboration to achieve climate goals is critical to maximise efficiency. There is always more room for planting and ‘greening’ buildings and places.
“We must consider health and wellbeing including supporting positive workplace culture and people with lower incomes to be a part of the region’s ambitious plans.”
CWLEP spokesman Craig Humphrey said it was important to be creative and innovative to encourage footfall in the area’s high streets.
He added: “Leamington town centre and Coventry city centre have remained resilient despite all the difficulties businesses have faced throughout Covid-19.
“We must continue to provide support to enable them to recover from the effects of the pandemic and create a range of opportunities for people to come to our area’s high streets, whether that is during the day or night.”
Greater collaboration, community wellbeing and a focus on the green agenda are key to the future success of Coventry and Warwickshire’s high streets, according to a new report.
