Communities Secretary Angela Rayner has announced a new £10million fund to help set up more community-owned businesses across England, giving local people a greater say in shaping their high streets.
The fund will boost organisations that are owned and run by the staff, customers and communities who use them. Ministers say this will help revitalise the nation's high streets, keep money local and bring people back to town centres.
Putting power back into local hands
Speaking to this newspaper, Ms Rayner said: “As Mirror readers know, communities are at their strongest when they have skin in the game when it comes to shaping the places they call home.
“That's why we're backing more community-owned businesses that put power, and opportunity back into the hands of local people, so they can take charge of their own future.”
Through the new fund, local leaders will be able to provide access to advice, business support and finance, helping more people establish and grow co-operatives in their area.
Examples of community-owned ventures
Their impact can already be seen in vendors across the country, such as Manchester's Union Grocery, which has been serving local people with organic food for more than 30 years. In Liverpool, Lark Lane and Langrove housing co-operatives help keep affordable housing in the hands of the tenants who live there.
Earlier this year the new PM Andy Burnham vowed to give locals a greater say over new shops that can open to help revitalise Britain's high streets. He also pledged a crackdown on vape shops, new bookies and "rouge businesses" - building on ex-PM Keir Starmer's efforts to boost neglected high streets.
Co-operatives turn high streets around
Interim Co-Op General Secretary Caitlin Prowle said: “Too many of high streets have been left struggling while decisions about their future are made far away.
“Co-operatives turn that around by putting power, ownership and opportunity directly into the hands of local people.
“This fund will help communities take back control of their high streets, create good jobs and build businesses that put local wealth back into local hands.”
Earlier this year Downing Street said the government will revoke the Blair-era "Aim to Permit" rule, which restricts councils' ability to refuse new betting and 24-hour slot machine shops on the high street. They said local people and authorities will also get a say over whether vape shops open - and to stop them opening near schools.
Wider regeneration package
It comes as Mr Burnham unveiled a £210 million package aimed at regenerating communities and bringing life back to high streets. Vacant shopping centres, disused cinemas and abandoned local eyesores across England will be revamped, according to Mr Burnham's plans.
A £125 million derelict buildings fund will be available to transform mothballed and dilapidated buildings, the Government said, in addition to an £85 million pot which will help communities take over neglected pubs, clubs and shops.
