Pioneering new initiative set to unleash the power of UK high streets

National energy supplier EDF has joined forces with Enterprise Nation to launch a pioneering initiative that will help unleash the power of the UK's high streets, opening up fresh opportunities and supporting retail entrepreneurs to become more successful and sustainable.

Launching today/Wednesday May 28, the Powering the High Street scheme will help retailers looking for an outlet on the high street via a new interactive hub that connects retailers to spaces in their own area.

There will also be free practical guides that provide best practice and tips to help retailers create a strong physical presence; develop an offer that brings in customers; be more resilient to future shocks; gain access to energy efficiency upgrades and access affordable time-saving technology.

A regular expert retail-facing podcast, The Small Business Retail Sessions, will discuss topics impacting local high streets like empty shops and challenging footfall as well as featuring interviews with successful retailers, tips and insight. The podcast is due to be released later this year.

EDF is the UK's second largest energy supplier to small businesses, trusted by companies across the UK looking to manage their energy smarter. With a strong focus on sustainability, EDF offers tailored solutions that help small businesses cut costs and carbon without compromising on reliability. Their competitive tariffs, expert support, and easy-to-use digital tools are designed specifically to meet the needs of small enterprises. As the UK's largest low-carbon electricity generators, EDF empowers businesses to grow confidently while contributing to a greener future.

Jon Perks, Small Business Director at EDF in the UK, said:

"Small businesses are the heart of communities across the UK, and we're proud to be part of this initiative to breathe new life into our high streets and empower local enterprises to thrive sustainably.

"Through our collaboration with the brilliant team at Enterprise Nation, we're delivering expert, tailored advice on energy efficiency and launching an exclusive energy deal designed to help small businesses nationwide save time, reduce costs, and cut carbon. It's all about making sustainable growth simple, accessible, and impactful."

Polly Dhaliwal, COO of small business support platform and membership community Enterprise Nation, said:

"Being on the high street today is increasingly becoming existential. In a world that's dominated by the digital space and with 30 per cent of all sales now taking place online, having a physical space can help to make brands stand out from the rest, seeing an upturn in online and offline sales.

"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 the high street 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."

According to research, the UK's online shopping market is the third largest in the world and the largest in Europe, with 30 per cent of all transactions now taking place online.

At the same time the average UK high street vacancy rate is 13.9 per cent, with 6,000 shops closing in the last five years, according to a report out this month from the British Retail Consortium and the Local Data Company. The research shows high streets in the North and the Midlands have been hit the hardest.

Polly added:

"Our high streets have had to face one challenge after another in a complex global market. Offering easy to access support and cheerleading the great work our high street traders are doing has never been more important."

You can find all the resources here.

ENDS

About Powering the High Street

Powering the High Street is a partnership between Enterprise Nation and nationwide energy provider EDF. The initiative focuses on High Street revival through a retail hub to connect the next generation of retailer to local high street spaces. It also offers guides, tips and practical ideas as well as an expert retail-facing podcast called The Small Business Retail Sessions.