Introducing Powering the High Street – a new era for local retail
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Posted: Wed 28th May 2025
5 min read
We're thrilled to announce the launch of Powering the High Street – a bold new initiative from Enterprise Nation and EDF designed to breathe life into the UK's high streets by supporting the next generation of retail entrepreneurs.
High streets have long been the beating heart of local communities, but years of neglect, shifting consumer habits and the rise of online shopping have taken their toll.
With 30% of all sales now happening online and nearly 14% of high-street shops standing empty, it's clear that a fresh approach is needed. That's where Powering the High Street comes in.
A practical boost for high street retailers
Launching Wednesday, 28 May, Powering the High Street is here to offer real, practical support for retailers ready to take on the challenge of the physical marketplace.
At the heart of the initiative is an interactive hub that helps connect independent retailers to available spaces in their local area – making it easier to find the right spot to set up shop and bring their business to life.
Alongside this, we're offering a free step-by-step guide packed with actionable advice on everything from developing a compelling retail offer to attracting footfall and improving energy efficiency with cost-saving tech.
Understanding your energy usage
When it comes to running a small business, energy efficiency can be a powerful way to cut costs and reduce your carbon footprint. And that means money you can reinvest in your business for growth.
With this in mind, EDF has created a free, easy-to-use energy audit checklist, specifically designed for small businesses. And to keep the smart energy usage momentum going, here are some of EDF's most helpful guides:
Tune in: The Small Business Retail Sessions
Coming soon as part of the programme is a brand-new podcast: The Small Business Retail Sessions. This series will dive into the key issues that many modern retailers face – including footfall challenges, empty shopfronts and recovery after the pandemic.
It'll feature candid conversations with successful entrepreneurs, expert tips and fresh ideas for retail success.
Why this matters
Polly Dhaliwal, COO at Enterprise Nation, sums it up perfectly:
"Being on the high street today is becoming increasingly existential. In a world that's dominated by the digital space, and with 30% of all sales now taking place online, having a physical space can help brands stand out from the rest.
"But with many high streets suffering from years of neglect, it's time to step up and refresh our approach by giving entrepreneurs the tools and spaces they need to innovate, connect with customers face-to-face and truly make our high streets places where people want to live, work and spend time.
"This exciting initiative with EDF is about elevating the retail craft, making it easier and more affordable to access and offering the tools to make it a success. It's not a short-term fix, this is a long-term programme of support to boost our high streets."
Get started
Whether you're a seasoned shopkeeper or a digital business ready to make the leap to bricks-and-mortar, Powering the High Street is your gateway to making a meaningful retail impact.
Explore the resources and get involved by visiting the hub now.
Relevant resources
Bringing new energy to the UK's high-street businesses
We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.
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