Town centres across the UK are struggling. Once-thriving high streets are now marked by empty shopfronts and a loss of community. However, decline is not inevitable, and every town has the potential to thrive.

Drawing on the latest academic research and successful case studies, this report highlights ‘Earning’ and ‘Belonging’ as the key principles for regenerating town centres.

For high streets to flourish, local residents must be earning sufficient wages to support local businesses. Tackling decline requires more than cosmetic fixes; leaders must invest in people. The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, exemplifies this approach with the M-Bacc initiative, investing in the future by improving young people’s skills and local employment prospects.

Town centres should also be places where people feel they belong. To encourage this, local leaders should embrace the unique history and culture of their towns as this will foster pride and strengthen community identity. Indeed, leaders must work with locals to create spaces that draw people in and bring them together.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but by prioritising both earning and belonging, local leaders can resist decline and restore the heart of their communities.