Executive To Engage With The Public On How To Get The High Street Buzzing Again

In welcome news the Northern Ireland Executive are to use the High Street Task Force to engage with the public in a bid to improve the high streets up and down the country. They want to hear what the public think about their experience on the high street and how to make them more welcoming and attractive so that footfall will increase.

The High Street Task Force Wants To Make Up For Lost Time

The High Street Task Force was actually launched last August but there have been issues with staff shortages. Now they hope to make up for lost time and get a buzz back to the high street.

Working Together To Improve Our High Streets

Speaking about the scheme to the Belfast Telegraph, Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said:

“Our High Street Task Force is working together to help make our town, city and village centres places where people can do business, socialise, shop, be creative and use public services – as well as being great places to live,”

“While there are many common and shared challenges, we recognise that every high street is different and has its own character, personality and needs that will each require bespoke local solutions.

“That’s why we want to hear views and evidence from far and wide, across both urban and rural areas. I would urge everyone with an interest in the future of their local high street to respond to the call for evidence and share your views.”

The Transformation Of Our High Streets

And in the same article Junior Minister Gary Middleton is quoted as saying:

“The High Street Task Force has a longer-term focus on addressing the pressing need for the transformation of our high streets in response to fundamental societal and economic changes.

“This call for evidence provides an important opportunity for everyone to have their say and influence the vision that will be required to breathe new life into our high streets and deliver results at street level.”

The call for evidence process will run from 25 October to 6 December 2021 and it is vital that as many of the public as possible share their views with the Task Force to create a brighter, more vibrant high street experience. The world is changing quickly and our high streets need to keep up with the pace and reflect these changes if they are to thrive in the future. There is no reason why they can`t thrive in the coming months as we move back to normality.