Discussion: Reclaiming the High Street through culture

The decline of the High Street as a vibrant focal point for the community, has been a growing issue over the past decade with closed shops and deteriorating conditions being a common story. 2020’s Coronavirus pandemic has only accelerated this process.

What can be done? This is the question posed in a recent webinar as part of the Contemporary Art Society’s “CAS Consultancy: Culture Matters” series of discussions, exploring the evolving role of art and culture in the public realm.

Taking place on 11th November 2020 the webinar looked at how vacant High Street space might be repurposed to connect to communities through culture and art, to bring exciting new opportunities for long-term growth in the local area.

Chaired by CAS Consultancy Deputy Director Colin Ledworth an expert panel comprising of Resolve Collective Founder Akil Scafe-Smith, Culture Mile Manager Tim Jones, Gee Sinha of the City of London Corporation and Megan O’Shea the Director at ReSpace Projects and CAS Consultancy Producer, looked at how local authorities, developers and planners can work with the creative sector to re-imagine the role of the high street as space that is equitable, vital, viable and sustainable for both communities and investors in the long term.

Watch the full discussion below:

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