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This website is closing for now as we reach the end of the borough wide phase of the Future High Streets programme. Coming next are engagement exercises focusing on each town centre at a time.If you would like to stay in the know, please email <a href="http://GrowthAndDeliveryTeam@rbkc.gov.uk">GrowthAndDeliveryTeam@rbkc.gov.uk</a> to express your interest. The RBKC project team will then add you to the list of subscribers to updates about the programme. Please note that you will no longer be able to contact us through the website used thus far.Do you live or work in Notting Hill Gate? Then write to us to be a part of shaping an action plan to deliver practical improvements to your high street: <a href="http://GrowthAndDeliveryTeam@rbkc.gov.uk">GrowthAndDeliveryTeam@rbkc.gov.uk</a> Notting Hill Gate is the pilot area for action plans that the team are aiming to implement in partnership with the community.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1655838395/projects/kcfuturehighstreets/2755c566-b456-4344-98f8-e7657826b3b5.jpg" />

Kensington and Chelsea’s Future High Streets has reached a milestone. Find out how to keep in touch.

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Thank you for taking the time to fill out the questionnaires. We have received almost 1,000 comments from over 500 people. This input has provided valuable insights into how our high streets are currently used and what should be our priorities for the future. There is a lot of information to digest so we have set out key findings for you bellow. Your feedback provided a baseline of evidence to shape local action plans that we are working on to help improve our high streets. Rather than policy documents, these are templates designed to be continuously adapted. We will share more about these with you soon. Key research findings How do you get to your local high street? Probably walking. This is by far the most common way of getting to high streets across the borough and all age groups. Cycling came second and public transport third. What do you think is the best way to buffer traffic noise on a busy road? Most likely, planting trees along the pavement. Residents think trees are better than benches with shrubs which could create obstacles for people with reduced mobility and other conditions. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1645201944/projects/kcfuturehighstreets/e515c0e7-7cd5-4574-a21d-eec30a261fb5.png" />The top reasons for visiting high streets today are daily shopping and eating. But what will happen as online shopping keeps growing? We heard interesting ideas at workshops with residents’ associations and members of the Citizens’ Panel. When asked what changes they want to see on their high streets, a resident said: “Create the high street as a place you go to for experience, maybe a different experience every day of the week, a place for all types of people and families, and budgets. A place for everyone”. Others encouraged the Council to draw on inspiring examples to make people pause and increase dwell time. We heard markets, festivals, and new pop-up shops on vacant retail units are the top priorities to improve the high street experience. Explore the full reports to find out more about the unique strengths, challenges, and ambitions for each of our high streets. <a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1645200324/projects/kcfuturehighstreets/K_C_Future_High_Streets_Questionnaire_Report_Jan_2022.pdf">K&amp;C Future High Streets Questionnaire Report January 2022</a> <a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1645200320/projects/kcfuturehighstreets/K_C_Future_High_Streets_Workshops_Report_Oct_2021.pdf">K&amp;C Future High Streets Workshops Report October 2021</a> <a href="https://kcfuturehighstreets.commonplace.is/proposals/consultation-feedback-and-reports/step1"></a> <a href="https://kcfuturehighstreets.commonplace.is/"></a>

An update on what you said about Kensington and Chelsea’s Future High Streets 

Local businesses, cultural organisations, and the Council are coming together to develop a number of new Business Improvement Districts (‘BIDs’), which is a key strand of the High Streets Programme. BIDs provide a mechanism for local business rates payers to pay an extra Levy to create a pot of money which can be spent on improvements to the local town centre or High Street – from small improvements like more regular cleaning, plants, or CCTV, to more ambitious large events or seasonal markets. Things that make the area thrive— not only commercially but also for residents.The Brompton Road partnership is proposing a BID in and around Brompton Road, crossing over into Westminster as well. The businesses are currently voting and a ‘yes’ majority would see a new BID come into existence. Similarly, the King’s Road partnership is proposing a BID in Chelsea, around King’s Road. The close of ballot for that BID is later in the year, 25th November. A new BID on Kensington High Street is also in the works and there is the potential for many more across our local high streets and town centres if the demand and desire is there. We will keep you updated as things progress on these, and whenever there is further opportunity for engagement. The BID partnerships have engaged with the relevant local residents and representatives for the best part of 2 years now, to make sure that the BID proposals work for everyone.What do you think about Business Improvement Districts? Can you spot where new BIDs are coming forward on <a href="https://kcfuturehighstreets.commonplace.is/proposals/comment-on-our-map/step1">this High Streets interactive map</a> ? Please feel free to leave your comments. You can find more information about the BIDs on their respective websites: <a href="http://bromptonroadbid.co.uk">http://bromptonroadbid.co.uk</a> <a href="http://kingsroadbid.co.uk"> <a href="http://bromptonroadbid.co.uk/">http://kingsroadbid.co.uk</a> </a>

Have you heard about the new Business Improvement Districts in Kensington and Chelsea? 

High streets everywhere are changing but together we can ensure our vibrant streets meet the needs of our communities. Think about your local or favourite high street. What do you like about it? What would you like to see improved? Please share your feedback and help guide decision making for future improvements.



Kensington & Chelsea Future High Streets

Would you like to share your email with the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea so they can contact you directly about your idea?

K&C High Streets

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Consultation feedback and research findings.

Research findings

Over 500 people provided valuable insights into how our high streets are currently used and what should be our priorities for the future. There is a lot of information to digest so we have set out key findings bellow. For more details, please download the full reports at the bottom of this page.Thank you to those who completed online questionnaires or took part in place-based workshops. Your feedback informed local action plans to help improve our high streets. Rather than policy documents, these are templates designed to be continuously adapted. We will share more about these soon. Sign up for Latest News to stay in the know.<h4 dir="ltr">Key research findings&nbsp;</h4>How do you get to your local high street? &nbsp;Probably walking. This is by far the most common way of getting to high streets across the borough and all age groups. Cycling came second and public transport third.&nbsp;What do you think is the best way to buffer traffic noise on a busy road? &nbsp;Most likely, planting trees along the pavement. Residents think trees are better than benches with shrubs which could create obstacles for people with reduced mobility and other conditions.&nbsp;<img alt="Graphical user interface

Description automatically generated" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1645199744/projects/wb3oap24fbwh2xy1ef07.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii">The top reasons for visiting high streets today are daily shopping and eating. But what will happen as online shopping keeps growing? We heard interesting ideas at workshops with residents&rsquo; associations and members of the <a href="https://consult.rbkc.gov.uk/citizens-panel/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Citizens&rsquo; Panel</a>. When asked what changes they want to see on their high streets, a resident said &ldquo;Create the high street as a place you go to for experience, maybe a different experience every day of the week, a place for all types of people and families, and budgets. A place for everyone&rdquo;.&nbsp;Others encouraged the Council to draw on inspiring examples to make people pause and increase dwell time. We heard markets, festivals, and new pop-up shops on vacant retail units are the top priorities to improve the high street experience. <a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1645200320/projects/kcfuturehighstreets/K_C_Future_High_Streets_Workshops_Report_Oct_2021.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">K&amp;C Future High Streets Workshops Report October 2021</a><a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1645200320/projects/kcfuturehighstreets/K_C_Future_High_Streets_Workshops_Report_Oct_2021.pdf" id="isPasted" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1645200324/projects/kcfuturehighstreets/K_C_Future_High_Streets_Questionnaire_Report_Jan_2022.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">K&amp;C Future High Streets&nbsp;Questionnaire Report January 2022</a>

The Local Plan will help us set out how we would like the role of our larger town centres to evolve.  

Kensington High Street

High Streets and the New Local Plan

High Streets and the emerging Local Plan 

The Council is currently consulting on its New Local Plan Review, the document which will set out how we would like the role of our larger town centres to evolve in the next 20 years. What do you think about the suggestions below?<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1630492121/projects/c26uhsjn0roonpko6u3y.jpg" style="width: 279px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">

South Kensington:&nbsp;Build on its strength as a world class cultural destination and a place to eat out and meet friends, but ensure that this is not at the expense of its role as a centre which provides a range of valued local facilities and services.&nbsp;

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1630493264/projects/mlwbzd5yauu4evxvvkxd.jpg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Kensington High Street:The civic heart of the borough and an outstanding cultural destination.

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1630492259/projects/krijj69qnkaivqtctyu2.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii">Portobello Road:A place centred on its vibrant and distinctive street market which serves the day to day needs of those living nearby but also visitors from around the world.&nbsp;

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1630492311/projects/nuab8kgo5jbdtpucvmys.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 269px;">Kings Road:The rich and iconic brand of the King&rsquo;s Road will be consolidated so that it remains one of London&rsquo;s most vibrant shopping streets. This will be supported by places to eat and by world class cultural destinations.

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1630492359/projects/rhzhoyj1xhqia4r9fbgq.jpg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Knightsbridge:Remain as one of London&rsquo;s most exclusive national and international shopping destinations.

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1630492383/projects/xyuaufilrihvkc1uo3dh.jpg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Notting Hill Gate:<table align="left"><tbody><tr><td valign="top">A centre which will build upon its long standing reputation for the arts, culture and for the evening economy. It will also use the opportunity as one of the borough&rsquo;s main employment areas to provide the premises needed by the types of agile business which will thrive in a post Covid-19 world.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table>

Learn more about the challenges facing high streets and new ways to tackle them from a range of experts here.

Learn from Experts

Learn more about the ways we can re-imagine the high streets from a range of experts.Mathilde Lebreton, Senior Project Officer at GLA <video class="fr-fvc fr-dvi fr-draggable" controls="" height="240" width="320"><source src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/video/upload/v1630410893/Mathilde_Lebreton_losqrp.mp4" type="video/mp4">&nbsp;Your browser does not support the video tag.</video>Daniel Partridge, Director at PRD <video class="fr-fvc fr-dvi fr-draggable" controls="" height="240" width="320"><source src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/video/upload/v1631007350/projects/kcfuturehighstreets/Daniel_Partridge.mp4" type="video/mp4">&nbsp;Your browser does not support the video tag.</video>Claire Harding, Research Director at Centre for London <video class="fr-fvc fr-dvi fr-draggable" controls="" height="240" width="320"><source src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/video/upload/v1631007368/projects/kcfuturehighstreets/Claire_Harding_new.mp4" type="video/mp4">&nbsp;Your browser does not support the video tag.</video>Mike Kiely, Chair of the Planning Officers Society <video class="fr-fvc fr-dvi fr-draggable" controls="" height="240" width="320"><source src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/video/upload/v1631007361/projects/kcfuturehighstreets/Mike_Kiely.mp4" type="video/mp4">&nbsp;Your browser does not support the video tag.</video>Chris Bruntlett, Marketing and Communications Manager at the Dutch Cycling Embassy <video class="fr-fvc fr-dvi fr-draggable" controls="" height="240" width="320"><source src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/video/upload/v1631007419/projects/kcfuturehighstreets/Chris_Bruntlett.mp4" type="video/mp4">&nbsp;Your browser does not support the video tag.</video>

Learn more about the project and why we want to hear from you!

About this Project

High streets everywhere are changing&nbsp;but together we can ensure Kensington and Chelsea&rsquo;s vibrant streets keep meeting the needs of our communities. Think about your local or favourite high street. What do you like about it? What would you like to see improved?The first phase of engagement finished on 30 September 2021. Over 500 people submitted more than 1000 comments. After analysing the feedback, two consultation reports were published in February 2022. You can find the full document <a href="https://kcfuturehighstreets.commonplace.is/proposals/consultation-feedback-and-reports/step1">on this page</a>.&nbsp;Please note that you will no longer be able to sign up for updates or to contact us through this website. If you would like to stay in the know, please email GrowthAndDeliveryTeam@rbkc.gov.ukThe RBKC project team will then add you to the new list of subscribers to updates about the programme.&nbsp;The first phase of engagement looked at all town centres in the borough. Upcoming phases will focus on one high street at a time, working with local communities to shape an action plan specific to their area. &nbsp;

Tell us your vision for the future of our high streets 

People pot plants on a wall

Vision

Vision for your High Street

We think that the community&#39;s voice is essential to the success of our high streets. Together we can shape a vision that is resilient for future change

&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1628248254/projects/e1fnmgdhgsbc0941iv0l.jpg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">

What can each of us do to keep our businesses and communities thriving?  

Pop up clothes shop

Businesses and Community  

Some of our high streets have a global relevance, yet they also play a crucial role&nbsp;in the&nbsp;lives&nbsp;of those that&nbsp;live locally. What could each of us do to make our high streets more inclusive, and successful?

<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1628242208/projects/iph5awbcqigyp1635xun.jpg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="People making coffee behind the counter of a coffee shop."></div>Businesses are key to the liveliness of high streets and the livelihood of our communities.&nbsp;

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1628247575/projects/srksy65oqmqxtfaxq35k.jpg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Clothes hang on wooden hangers on a rail on a street.">Pop up shops&nbsp;can be a way to use vacant units and support small businesses. They can help activate a street and encourage new ideas to be tested.&nbsp;Pop up shops can often share the space with another use at a different time of day, such as in the evening.

We need to find new ways to generate local funding.&nbsp;Business Improvement Districts (BID) raise funds through a levy on Business Rates that are spent locally. New development pays a local contribution that is also allocated locally.

Our high streets should be inclusive and welcoming, and&nbsp;provide everything&nbsp;you need in&nbsp;daily life. &nbsp;

To comment on any high street in our borough, drop a pin on our interactive map

Comment on our Map

Please click the &#39;Have your say&#39; button to leave your comment on our map. Please keep to the blue borough boundary.

<div class="map"><iframe width="100%" frameborder="0" height="400" src="https://kcfuturehighstreetsmap.commonplace.is/projectMap"></iframe> <div style="display: flex;"><a href="https://kcfuturehighstreetsmap.commonplace.is/comments" style="font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.42857; color: #777; text-decoration: none; margin-left: 10px;" target="_blank">View larger map</a> <a href="https://www.commonplace.is" style="margin-left: auto;" target="_blank"><img width="150px" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1594390595/Commonplace/commonplace-logo-horizontal-rgb.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></a></div></div>

Tell us how you get to the high street and how we can help make improvements to your journey

People walking down a flat street with a blue, red and yellow design. There are two benches on one side on the street. 

Movement and Accessibility 

&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1628246093/projects/rzv9tgksczbqqmhtbjmy.jpg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Several black Santander bikes for hire line a snow-covered pavement">

Logo of Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea