THE first 14 high streets to be set on the path to prosperity were unveiled yesterday.
They were chosen to get expert support and access to the latest research to revive their flagging fortunes.
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Among them is the Lancashire town of Accrington, one of the Labour heartlands seats which turned Tory at the election.
All but two — Aldershot, Hants, and Thornton Heath in South London — are in the North and Midlands, where Boris Johnson demolished the so-called Red Wall to grab power.
Another six will be announced later as part of a promised £1billion investment.
The 14 will benefit from the expertise of the High Streets Task Force, set up by the Future High Streets Fund.
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Local leaders will get face-to-face support from industry experts, access to research, data and online training to give them the tools to transform their town and city centres.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “Central to the mission of this government is levelling up towns and regions, ensuring prosperity and opportunity are available to everyone.
“In 2020, we will invest hundreds of millions into projects to transform our town centres and support bespoke plans to meet the needs of individual local communities.”
300K JOBS DISAPPEAR
NEARLY 300,000 high street jobs were lost over the past decade — with 81 per cent held by women, figures show.
Cashiers, bank clerks and hairdressers were hardest hit among the 289,000 losses.
Van drivers, software programmers and care workers saw the biggest job spike, according to the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.
Jobs monitoring online interaction could rise in the next decade, the charity said.
