I was asked the other day by a councillor: ‘how important is the community & public sector in shaping high streets?’

My answer: Fundamental.

A local community is like the mycelial network in the soil supporting the whole forest ecosystem.

A thread/

Communities start the local movements that pave the way for whole ecosystems of businesses/ projects. @CrystalPalaceTT sparked @libraryofthings, an arts venue & cafe, a food market that then incubated 40+ food businesses.. Ditto @IncEdNetwork @ParticipatoryC

Communities can provide funding- @midstquarter in Dumfries is crowdfunding to buy 3 more shops, @brixtonwindmill for its grassroots music venue. Bristol Energy Coop @briznrg is selling shares to start more renewable energy projects. Forums like @LiverpoolSOUP provide seed funds

Healthy communities (ie diverse communities w many interconnections) spread information rapidly. ‘Join my campaign, support my biz, help me find an accountant (/lost cat)’- WhatsApp/ Nextdoor/ in-person groups act like relational localised Google searches that make things happen

‘Crystal Palace Local’ Facebook group has 17,000 members- it’s an interactive local newspaper

Communities shape new & existing businesses. @sismidrecords in Deptford is running a survey to inform its business plan to purchase a local pub that’s been closed for 4 years - to transform it into a live music pub & community venue

Communities provide the entrepreneurs & teams - whether paid staff or volunteers - that mean high street businesses & projects exist. CVS orgs like @KingstonVA are crucial infrastructure for this (where they’re well run)

Wondering how you can help beyond just shopping local? Take the surveys, pledge the funds (even £5 shows you care), apply for the jobs/ volunteer roles, attend the events, give feedback & reviews, start campaigns, spread the word, cheerlead & say thanks- it means a lot

Thoughts on public sector role coming soon, but a quick spoiler- to amplify/ partner/ fund/ provide a platform for all of the above, most of all to trust in the intelligence of the collective to guide whatever comes next

#communitypower #communitywealth #localgov #highstreets