The increase in online retailing was taking place before Covid-19 gave this greater impetus and a combination of reduced high street sales and business rates has seen an acceleration in shop closures throughout the UK.  In July 2021 the Government announced it strategy to support the evolution of town centres as places to work, visit and live as part of the levelling up agenda and backed by the ‘Towns Fund’. In physical terms our much-loved ‘high streets’ which provide identity of place,  remain the focal centre of urban living so how can we create an environment where they have a role ‘beyond shopping’ and where people will want to ‘work, visit and live’? This session will explore a range of contributions towards creating a canvas for change.