Our high streets and town centres should be the beating hearts of our communities, but today many shops lie empty and once prospering businesses are closing permanently.

Many shops lie empty because ownership of the unit or building is unclear. Unscrupulous landlords on some high streets refuse to sell their unused spaces,

But together, communities are fighting to take back control of their high streets – with brilliant initiatives from Plymouth and Dumfries.

Enterprising local businesses or community organisations cannot buy or rent empty building on their high street if they

The Government promised over two years ago to create a transparent register of high street landlords, so communities could easily look up who owned their high streets – but they still haven't delivered.