Activating High Streets Challenge

What was the Activating High Streets Challenge?

We worked with the Mayor of London to design and deliver the Mayor’s Resilience Fund which included two phases:

• Open call for local authorities, government agencies and charities in London to partner with us as problem-holders (2020)
• Designed and delivered 10 city-based challenges (2021)

The Mayor’s Resilience Fund was funded by the London Economic Action Partnership. The Activating High Streets Challenge was delivered in partnership with Ealing Borough, Love Pitshanger, Make it Ealing and Your Acton.

What was this challenge about?

The Activating High Streets Challenge aimed to create a data service that will aggregate multiple data sources related to vacant properties on high streets to enable the utilisation and occupation of empty spaces.

Where was it focused?

Town Centres and high streets across the London Borough of Ealing.

Who were the end users?

Local businesses, boroughs, business improvement districts, traders associations and organisations with an interest in activating vacant units on high streets.

Who won the Challenge?

Sqwyre by Whythawk, a commercial location database supporting research into business properties, won the Challenge. They will be working with local government and high-street stakeholders to develop their data service to contribute to reducing vacancy rates.