Anthony Mangnall: Resilience and buy local - key to the future of our high streets

The wide range of local businesses, entrepreneurialism and innovators should not only be a source of great pride but also a strong indicator into the vibrancy and health of our local economy.

South Devon is truly unique in this respect. Our high streets across the area are community hot spots that draw local craftsmen, producers, farmers, and fishermen together to promote and sell their wares. They do so undeniably well. In an internet age in which the speed of purchase can see practically anything you desire delivered to your door within 24 hours, it is an uncelebrated miracle that our high streets even still exist!

Yet there are many reasons for optimism when looking at the future of our towns and their high streets. While the pandemic demonstrated the fragility of supply chains, it more importantly showed the level of high-quality goods that are produced on our doorstep. Whether it be food or drink, local services or just locally made items, we have it all. Recognising the fact that such quality exists so close to home has to be encouraged and cultivated. A ‘buy local‘ approach over a click-and-buy mentality has to be instilled within every one of us. The pandemic went a long way to reminding people of this and the data still suggests that butchers, bakers and greengrocers are benefiting from this change of mind set.

It is not just individuals but also businesses that need to take stock. Many of the businesses that inhabit our high streets are altering their operating models. Take, for instance, the high street banks. For years, every town across the country would find several banks occupying large buildings, yet the rise in online banking has made their physical presence an untenable, inefficient model. Yet closures are in opposition to what many of their own customers want. Here in South Devon, we have seen successive banks close their doors with few viable alternative services on offer.

Fortunately, the Government-created Banking Hub initiative is helping to address this problem while filling unoccupied buildings. Multiple banks occupying one building on different days of the week has allowed a continued physical presence on the high street, offering residents and businesses financial advice as well as deposit and withdrawal services. The early scepticisms as to whether such a model could work has been blown away by the success of Brixham’s Banking Hub, with thousands using it each month and hundreds of thousands of pounds running through the building.

So, it is not just on us changing our own individual habits but also encouraging businesses to be both modern and flexible when it comes to having a presence within our towns. South Devon should be an example to the rest of the country. Towns which are home to local businesses as opposed to large chains, that feel welcoming, look tidy and have a sense of community are not easily created, but when they are they buck the national trend and boost the local economy to the benefit of all.

Over the past four years I have seen local high streets ebb and flow with businesses and consumers. Their resilience has only been enhanced by the difficulties of lockdowns. That resilience will help face the unknowns of the future but to truly see our towns flourish, we must see them learn from one another, improve park and rides and ensure that each and every corner of our towns and villages is functional, welcoming and of value.

If we succeed then not only will the local economy soar, but we can also ensure that local producers benefit from better prices and shorter distances to market. The examples are many, but both the French and Danish models would be worth copying.