Artspace Lifespace Named One of Five Community-Led High Street Innovators Nationally

Power to Change has launched Community-Led High Street Innovators to invest in community-led action to revitalise high streets and town centres across England. The project supports community businesses to develop their work on the high street, using community-led approaches to regenerate their local places, and focuses on communities taking space on high streets and increasing their role in decision-making about their local high street or town centre.

Power to change is investing in Artspace Lifespace and Southmead Development Trust in Bristol, Make LCR in Birkenhead, Madlab in Stockport and The Arcade Group in Dewsbury to show what is possible when communities lead efforts to revitalise their area, and gather insight and evidence about the barriers they face, so we can advocate for the power, backing and resources community businesses need to take back the high street.

Artspace Lifespace CEO Kathryn Chiswell Jones said: “We’re honoured to be one of just five organisations selected nationally as a Community-Led High Street Innovator, working alongside the Vacant Property Task Force here in Bristol. We’re excited to explore opportunities in Broadmead which is at the cusp of massive changes. We also frequently receive requests from people across the UK wanting to create similar spaces in their own communities and we look forward to developing our Vacant Property Toolkit that will empower others to reclaim and reimagine underused spaces – helping more people spark meaningful, locally-led change.”

You can find out more about the Community-Led High Street Innovators Project here.