UK pledges £210m to turn vacant high street shops into community hubs

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged £210m to regenerate high streets by converting boarded-up shops, pubs and clubs into workspaces, cafes and community hubs. He said it would "help put power back into the hands of locals who know their area best". The money redirects existing regeneration funds toward community-led schemes. A high streets strategy is expected later in 2026.