Changes to Kent's high streets, predicted to take five years, have occurred in five months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

That’s the view of high streets expert, Graham Galpin, who will be leading a workshop on the subject in January businesses in the county are being encouraged to join.

The Kent and Medway Business Summit is being held on January 15 and will bring together more than 400 businesses, decision makers and academics.

Companies will be able to have their say on how high streets and town centres can be transformed as part of the discussion and there will be the opportunity for business to share best practice as well as voice concerns with representatives of local and national bodies.

Mr Galpin, an economic development consultant and former Cabinet Member for Town Centres for Ashford Borough Council, has been appointed by the High Streets Task Force to help communities and local government transform their high streets.

He said: “Town centres and high streets have been changing rapidly in recent years. Before Covid-19 we had been expecting a transformative change over the next five years. Covid has made that change happen in 5 months.

“We all care about how our high streets will work in the future, but we need to understand that they will work differently.”

The panel will also include Mark Robinson, CEO of Ellandi, which has the largest shopping centre portfolio in the UK, and who is also chairman of the High Street Task Force to lay out the potential

for the region’s high streets and town centres.

Peter Nutting, Leader of Shropshire County Council, will talk about their work on the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan which has been heralded as a leading project in rejuvenating town centres.

The high streets workshop is one of four collaborative sessions to be held at the event which takes place on Friday, January 15 using virtual conference platform, Remo.

Other topics include the future of Kent and Medway’s food and drink sector, focussing on the transformation which took place during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and seeking views on next steps, how Kent and Medway can seize the opportunity of the de-centralisation of commuters travelling to London and create a green, sustainable economy for the region and the changes needed to changes needed to build a regional workforce with the skills to be a part of the region’s digital, creative and cultural industries.

The summit will also feature keynote speakers on topics including the business impact of Covid-19 and Brexit and the latest economic overview from the Bank of England. Plus the latest updates from Kent and Medway councils on their renewal plans and Locate in Kent will give a briefing on major developments within the county.

Accountancy firm Kreston Reeves has been announced as headline sponsors of the event.

Andrew Griggs, senior partner, said: "With all the economic, social, technological and political changes and challenges we are experiencing, it’s important that businesses remember to talk to and support each other, continue to look for opportunities, remain agile, adapt and innovate. They must continue to look ahead and plan for the future.

"It’s more important than ever to keep connected with your customers, your colleagues and your communities. When you are unable to do something in person, find another way. Kent and Medway is home to many resilient, successful, innovative and inspirational businesses and we’re looking forward to joining and meeting with them on this new virtual platform”.

To book a place at the Kent and Medway Business Summit click here .

Read more business news from across Kent here.