Up For Yorkshire Secures Key Funding to Strengthen 'Shop for the Future' Campaign
Up For Yorkshire is delighted to announce the successful award of Phase 2 funding from the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund for its groundbreaking Shop for the Future initiative.
Phase 2 will focus on gathering actionable data to solidify Selby’s high street identity as a unique destination built around the town’s strengths: the amazing independent retailers, the brilliant second-hand shops run by charities, and circular economy principles. The project, which already involves an established network with 14 charity shops representing 13 different charities in Selby, will use the funding to undertake market research and implement high-tech measurement tools. This includes the installation of real-time footfall cameras within participating second-hand shops on the high street, alongside the use of mobile phone tracking data to analyse shopper movements and dwell time.
Matt Fisher, Up For Yorkshire Community Development Lead, said: "This funding is critical because it fills a gap in our knowledge of Selby’s high street and allows us to move beyond assumption and ground our retail revitalisation strategy in real-time data and customer intelligence. By measuring footfall and understanding shopper behaviour, we can precisely target our efforts, strengthen the collaboration between all 14 charity shops, and cement Selby's reputation as a unique, sustainable shopping destination. The resulting insights will be valuable for many years and will be shared with all our partners enabling us to build a truly resilient, vibrant future for Selby's town centre."
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire said: “High streets are constantly changing, but when we back our high streets, they will thrive and become hubs for our communities again. That’s why I am delighted to invest £1.7 million in these 19 projects. They are all led by local people, ranging from regeneration to exciting festivals. These are big ideas that will inject new life into communities across the region. This is what my Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund is here to deliver.”
The intelligence gathered in Phase 2 of Shop For the Future will inform the wider rollout (Phase 3), which is planned to expand the campaign to include all independent retailers and the local hospitality sector, positioning Selby as an essential day-trip destination.
The Shop For the Future evolved from Up For Yorkshire’s successful Our Zero Selby programme and is actively advised by North Yorkshire Council.
Supported by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire and funded by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.