The Streets- Unlocking the potential of the high street

by Startacus Admin

As most of us can attest to, our high streets have had a pretty tough time of it lately. With the rise in identikit shopping malls, the growth of out of town retail parks and of course the multitude of economic challenges it’s not been an easy few years. 

However all is not doom and gloom.

There are people and initiatives all across the country who are on a mission to fight back and to regenerate our high streets and to make them once again the vibrant places that they ought to be.

One such initiative is The Streets. Over the next two years, this innovative programme aims to bring high quality music and performance to high streets in six outer London boroughs, namely Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Croydon, Wandsworth, Richmond upon Thames and Kingston upon Thames.

In a sense the high street will act as a stage - a place where musicians and artists can showcase what they’re about, reach new audiences and ultimately enrich local communities. From pop-up performances in empty shops through to festival style gigs in the most unusual spaces - they’re planning to do it all. Of course for an initiative like this to really work and have a lasting impact, it needs buy-in and involvement from everyone in the local area.

That is exactly what The Streets is trying to do. They have an open call for local residents and businesses in the six boroughs to take ownership - to let them know about spaces or places they should be using and about artists that they should be showcasing.

If you’re lucky enough to live in one of the aforementioned boroughs, we reckon you should embrace this wholeheartedly.

Our thoughts? We only wish it was being replicated right across the country…

• #regeneration
• #high street
• #inspiring
• #innovation

Published on: 15th July 2015