Our high streets could be set for the most radical shake-up in their history in order to revitalise our town centres.

And to do so, they should be driven by the cultural and creative sectors to switch on a new economy to off-set the decline seen over recent years.

Our changing shopping habits towards online - accelerated during the pandemic - and the financial pressures they have placed on traditional retailers have seen many high streets festooned with empty premises.

But now a new report, Creative High Streets,to be published next week, aims to provide a blueprint to "drive true change and prosperity for local areas".

The South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) and Arts Council England have joined forces to compile the report with guidance on the "clear, decisive action that can be taken by the cultural and creative sector

to breathe new life into our high streets and kickstart a whole new economy for towns".

It includes suggestions to "reconfigure" high streets to the new reality and usher in a different use of space.

The report will be issued on Wednesday, February 2, with a webinar taking place on the same day to allow any town to hear how they can help "drive communities back onto the high streets".

SELEP deputy chair, Sarah Dance, said: “Enabling and developing strategies for high street recovery has never been more important. In light of the impact of the pandemic on the economies of our towns in the South East, the challenges facing our high streets have accelerated. Yet we have seen new ways of working and innovative ideas led by the creative sector that has begun to change this story.

“This report presents a detailed evidence base and clear call to action for all stakeholders to take advantage of the growth opportunity for the creative sector in our high streets. Our ambition is for this report to be a starting point for sustained action, leading to further funding opportunities and projects, and promoting the wider strategic ambitions of SELEP.”

Hazel Edwards, South East area director for Arts Council England, added: “The role the cultural sector is playing in high street regeneration up and down the country is already significant. This report helps to highlight some exciting and inspiring examples in the South East and is also invaluable in setting out strategies and practical steps which can be used to help facilitate regeneration through cultural activity.

“The range of ideas, the innovative practices outlined and the scalability of the activity all underline the practical and action-based nature of the report and we look forward to engaging further with high streets across the South East over the months and years to come.”

Creative High Streets has been produced in conjunction with We Made That, which delivers urban research, strategies and masterplans.

The webinar to reveal details of the report takes place from 1pm to 2.30pm on February 2. To register for the free event, click here.