A REPORT has found that culture and arts are crucial to increasing footfall to English high streets post-pandemic.
The research published by Arts Council England shows that 69% of people believe that having cultural attractions make their local area a better place to live.
These cultural spaces such as museums, theatres and libraries also ranked higher than pubs and restaurants when asked what people would like to see more of on their high streets.
Brighton is an established tourist destination, in part due to the number of attractions offering rich culture to its 10.8 million annual visitors.
The placement of the Royal Pavilion, Brighton Dome, Brighton Festival and Fabrica so close to the city's high streets contributes to this footfall.
Each year Fabrica adds to Brighton’s cultural mix by producing a exhibits that attract 50,000 visitors.
It also works with 60 local partners to provide activities for around 2,000 people each year through its outreach programmes, including young families, teenagers, young adults and older people.
The Royal Pavilion estate, which includes Brighton Dome, Brighton Festival, Royal Pavilion and Museums, contribute £60million each year to the local economy.
As a whole in 2018, the creative sector in the Greater Brighton Area generated £1.55 billion and employed more than 16,000 people.
Each organisation has received investment from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund, which has helped to sustain cultural organisations in lockdown, enabling them to continue to support local economies after the pandemic.
However, the report found that despite evidence of the positive effect these organisations have on their local economies and strong support from the public, only 29% of people said they expected to see more culture on their high streets in the coming years.
Arts Council England said this shows a need for further support to meet public demand and help regenerate local economies after the pandemic.
Hazel Edwards, south east area director said: “For too long over the last 18 months, our high streets have been silent – missing the hustle and bustle that make them such vibrant parts of the places we live in and the communities they serve.
"Cultural venues have long been a vital part of those high streets, with museums, theatres, galleries, libraries, music venues and dance studios all driving footfall and providing jobs."
She added: “As we emerge from the pandemic, our cultural organisations will be a vital part of bringing people back to our high streets – driving economic growth, promoting wellbeing and boosting community pride.
"But, to make sure this happens, we must ensure that our cultural organisations are given the support they need to play their vital role in our national recovery.”
Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.
Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.
You can also call us on 01273 021 400.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here