Business representatives from cities across the UK have come together to launch High Streets UK, which aims to tackle pressing issues and unlock opportunities for growth.

The group will meet quarterly to share learnings and discuss solutions to common challenges faced by high streets across the country – from the rise of retail crime and anti-social behaviour to an unwieldy business rates system and rigid planning laws.

Founding members of High Streets UK include Business Improvement Districts from Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool and London.

Roddy Smith, chief executive and director of Essential Edinburgh Business Improvement District said: “Edinburgh city centre has gone through incredible change in the last five years with a new world class destination in the St James Quarter and many former department stores being reimagined into new hotels and retail outlets through increased private investment.

“Although we are the second most visited city in the UK with a vibrant visitor economy, we are faced with the numerous challenges that are being experienced by high streets across the major cities in the UK.

“A prioritisation by government of towns over cities, growth in retail crime, crippling business rates and increasing employment costs all need addressed.”

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