Many of us are spending more time than ever before in our local areas, heavily influenced by the last 3 years and more recently by the continuing industrial action by rail staff.

Local shops, cafes, restaurants, butchers and bakeries are proving a lifeline for millions during these periods with professional organisations such as the British Independent Retailers Association, who work with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, urging shoppers to support their local high streets and shop local during the ongoing strike action.

As disruption continues, the vision for more sustainable cities, towns and high streets is becoming a reality. Witness the rise of the 15-minute city.

Once a largely unknown concept, now a global model for cities and towns, the 15-minute city aims to improve quality of life, with everything a community needs just a short 15-minute bike ride or walk from home. It’s a growing concept that 65% of independent retailers believe could help save our high streets.

Detailed in a recent collaborative report by ankorstore and retail giant Mary Portas

“ Independent retailers in London are already benefiting from this concept, with 75% believing that they already live in a 15-minute city and can see the positive impact of it on their local high streets. The 15-minute city will also play a huge part in bolstering community spirit, which has been reignited in many local areas following the Covid-19 pandemic.”

This model has been implemented by cities around the world, including Paris where mayor, Anne Hidalgo, teamed up with Carlos Moreno and made it part of her re-election campaign in 2020.

Carlos Moreno details how “cities should be designed or redesigned so that within the distance of a 15-minute walk or bike ride, people should be able to live the essence of what constitutes the urban experience: to access work, housing, food, health, education, culture and leisure.”

In practice, this means more bike lanes, pedestrianisation of streets, more green spaces, and community clubs.

The 15-minute city is gaining recognition with London introducing its Mini-Hollands project, 3 boroughs have been granted substantial investment (around £100 million) part of Mayor, Sadiq Khans Healthy Streets, creating cycling hubs with more space and equipped with high specification Dutch-style infrastructure.

Benefits of a 15-minute city

The 15-minute city can help achieve the positive changes to the work life balance, environment and economy that people, and the local community are looking for, but how?

Boosting the local economy - with the increase in footfall driven by the brief time it would take to get to the local towns and high streets

Increase in local employment - As the UK opens up to a hybrid working lifestyle there will be a rise in local town centre coworking spaces and office hubs enabling employers to rethink their office working strategy and, in some cases, downsize.

For example, Rume2, a coworking space, centrally located in the city of Chichester, offers not just a flexible workspace for collaboration and relationship building but also promotes strong links with their local business community.

Positive impact on mental health and physical well-being - in addition to the individual benefits of a more active lifestyle Sustrans, a charity making it easier for people to walk and cycle, details how there is evidence that clearly shows the benefits from walking and cycling for the economy.

These include increased spending on the high street and town centres, benefits to employers, reduced costs for the NHS from greater physical activity, and reduced congestion.

More available free time - as less time is spent commuting a greater distance to work or to visit the high street.

Cleaner air - the reduction in the use of private cars decreases carbon emissions. Visit England highlights many local areas are working to provide sustainable, flexible and money saving public transport to help anyone who wants to take a gentle stroll in the countryside, reach a major tourist site or high street without sitting in a jam.

Positive effect on the environment - with the growth of green spaces for the local community to enjoy. The planting of trees and hedgerows is encouraged, promoting, and improving biodiversity.

Community engagement - the sharing of ideas, helping to transform local cities and towns and giving “Pride in Place”.

Pride in Place is about regeneration and reshaping high streets. Caring about things such as increasing footfall, enhancing current standards, filling vacant premises, ensuring the local community has access to local amenities that may have closed or need repair and increasing local job opportunities.

Detailed in the recent post by Ian Harvey, Executive Director at Civic Voice, Secretary to Parliamentary Group for Civic Societies and Executive Group for High Street Task Force

“Creating a Society where everyone can say 'I am proud of where I live is at the heart of the mission of Civic Voice”.

It has, never been more important for independent businesses, Town Centre Partnerships, BIDs and local authorities to promote engagement and the sharing of ideas to safeguard the success of our local communities and the changing face of our high streets.

Summary

Now is the time for the rise of the 15-minute city. The benefits to the environment, local community and high street will help secure the future of independent businesses up and down the UK.

Communities and high streets should be able to thrive without having to constantly travel elsewhere to live, work or visit their local towns and cities, and as people are working closer to home than ever before the 15-minute city has never been more of a reality.

If you want to find out more about how Expression supports independent business owners who love their business visit www.expressioninsurance.co.uk