Recommendation 67

In reviewing its work with 67 high streets across the country to deliver the Heritage Action Zones programme, Historic England identified that local governance structures that gave local communities a say in decisions were key in ensuring that places met the needs of their users, and were therefore ultimately successful. 134 Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) are an example and aim explicitly to provide opportunities for community stakeholders to participate in high street redevelopment. 135 CIDs build on the Business Improvement District (BID) concept (discussed in paragraph 55) and seek to address the criticism that BIDs do not include non-business members of a local area. 136 The High Streets Research Network described the role of “local champions”, particularly for successful community businesses. 137 Power to Change provided funding support for pilots of the CID approach and found that whilst CIDs may not be necessary, they could potentially lead to successful high street redevelopment. 138 The success of the pilots tended to rely on individuals who already had credibility as local leaders and who could use an established network to foster more extensive community connections. 139