Revitalising the High Street: Birmingham's vision for 2025

The city, with its rich history and vibrant culture, faces a challenge mirrored across the UK: revitalizing its high streets and town centres.

Once thriving community hubs, these spaces now grapple with empty storefronts, shifting consumer habits, and a lingering economic hangover from the pandemic.

We ventured into Birmingham’s heart to ask locals a pressing question: What can be done to breathe new life into our high streets?

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“Support for local businesses is key,” one shopper said. “Grants, reduced rents, and tax relief could make it easier for independent shops to thrive. People want unique, homegrown options, not just big chains.”

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Others said: “We need High Streets that feel alive—music events, street markets, pop-ups. Right now, there’s no reason to hang out here unless you’re shopping. Let’s make it an experience, not a chore.”

Reducing business rates and rents was a key objective. The issue of shuttered shops loomed large in every conversation.

“Free parking for an hour or two would also help,” said another.

Praise was given to Birmingham’s Bullring and Grand Central on its influx of shop openings in 2024, but others felt concern about the number of empty units elsewhere in the city.

What do you think? How would you breathe new life into your High Street? Email [email protected]