Prime Minister Andy Burnham Pledges £210m To Revive UK High Streets

The Prime Minister has unveiled a £210 million funding package intended to breathe new life into communities and high streets across the UK.

Andy Burnham said vacant premises will be reused and adapted into "community hubs, health centres, shared workspaces, cafés and the local services that people actually want to see." The funding, ring‑fenced by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, is aimed at supporting local regeneration projects and returning empty units to productive use.

How The Money Will Be Spent

The package breaks down as follows:

• £125 million for a derelict buildings fund to convert mothballed and dilapidated buildings into usable spaces.
• £85 million to help communities take over neglected premises — including pubs, clubs and shops.
• £65 million earmarked to rescue businesses and buildings at risk of closure.
• £20 million to support community co‑operatives and initiatives to let and run empty units.

Burnham announced the package ahead of his first Labour Party conference as prime minister, where he is expected to emphasise that "making life more affordable" is central to his agenda.

"People don't measure growth by looking at a spreadsheet. They measure it by looking at their local high street. Are shops opening or are the shutters down? Does the place feel like it's moving forward or being left behind?" — Andy Burnham

Communities Secretary Angela Rayner said the programme will help turn "boarded‑up buildings that have been left to rack and ruin" into places people want to visit again. First Secretary of State Louise Haigh added that the investment gives local people the resources they need to make change, calling it "what devolution means in practice."

The announcement follows a summer pledge from Burnham that pubs, clubs and other social venues would receive a 20% business rates cut from April.

Former business secretary Peter Kyle urged the government to move with greater urgency to boost growth as the prime minister arrives in Liverpool for the Labour conference. Meanwhile, the Conservatives have outlined an alternative plan to support high streets — proposing the abolition of business rates for thousands of firms and measures to protect services such as post offices, pubs and pharmacies.

The government said the combined measures are designed to put power into the hands of local communities, enabling them to decide how best to reuse and manage local assets so high streets can thrive again.