Research is being launched to understand how the cultural sector can be embedded in high streets and attract communities to town centres after the pandemic.
Jointly funded by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) and Arts Council England, the project, Developing Cultural and Creative Offers in High Streets, will support future economic modelling of the impact of cultural activity in town centres.
It will investigate “frameworks and methodologies for public realm activation” and develop thinking on the role of “public realm attractor events” in post-Covid high streets in East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend, and Thurrock.
SELEP’s Deputy Chair Sarah Dance said: “Our high streets have to adapt to continue attracting customers and new businesses and the creative sector is the ideal partner to breathe new life into our high streets.”