The UK government has pledged an additional £210m to help communities revive struggling high streets by converting empty shops, pubs, clubs and other derelict buildings into community hubs, cafés, shared workspaces and health centres. Andy Burnham said the funding would give local people more control over regeneration and help restore pride in town centres hollowed out by online shopping, rising business costs and reduced consumer spending.

The package includes £125m for councils to refurbish abandoned buildings, £65m to save businesses and community assets at risk of closure, and £20m for co-operative ownership and high street rental auctions. It supplements the existing £5.8bn Pride in Place programme, while a wider strategy for English high streets is due later this year. Despite growing interest in co-operative pubs, which have risen by 48% in five years, they remain a small part of the sector, with 377 such businesses currently operating.