In Sutton we have supported our high streets by investing in them. This strategic commitment has not only helped businesses to survive the recession and thrive, it has stimulated additional private investment which has helped to further unlock potential.

Our first project was the refurbishment of our main town centre in Sutton, initiated before the recession took hold, out of the London Mayor’s Great Spaces scheme. This was not an unqualified success as there were issues around implementation and design, which lost resident buy-in. However, it has succeeded in improving the area. Most importantly it was welcomed by the town centre businesses, who appreciated our commitment to enhancing the town centre experience. And, it has paid off as we have seen fewer than average outlets folding, and the initiative has attracted new businesses.

To improve our smaller district centres we used Local Implementation Plan (LIP) funding for Integrated Transport Packages. In Wallington we applied the lessons learnt from the Sutton town centre scheme, ensuring resident involvement throughout the design and implementation stages. There we delivered a scheme aiming to improve access to the town centre for pedestrians, cyclists and via public transport. This drew on evidence that people who came to a centre in this way spent more per visit. The scheme decluttered the street scene and made public realm improvements. It rationalised the parking by offering half an hour free in the central car park and changed on-street parking bays to disabled or loading only. This allowed smoother passage for buses and reduced congestion, whilst making the town centre more disability friendly.

The Mayor’s Outer London Fund offered the opportunity to broaden the scope of this work. We were lucky to be one of the few boroughs to succeed in winning two bids: one council-led for Worcester Park and North Cheam; and the other led by one of our voluntary sector partners, BioRegional.

The North Cheam and Worcester Park investment will involve public realm improvements and addressing the transport issues in the area. It also has a very strong focus on supporting and promoting local businesses. There will be a business support hub run by voluntary sector partners, empty shops put to meanwhile use, and a number of street markets and events planned to stimulate interest in the area.

The project led by BioRegional focuses on Hackbridge, our sustainable suburb, and will improve prosperity by working with local businesses to improve their competitiveness and viability; make it easier to navigate the area; and encourage businesses to become more sustainable.

This investment, and high strategic commitment to our high streets, has succeeded in more than just improving the areas; the confidence shown by the council has helped to unlock key development sites.

In Wallington, a mini shopping mall that was half-empty was redeveloped on the back of our Integrated Transport Plans, so that the derelict offices that overlooked the high street have now been turned into an attractive frontage, providing affordable housing.

In North Cheam a prominent building, at a key gateway point to the district centre that was a derelict eyesore, has now been bought and development plans for it are underway. This will generate a considerable boost for the area.

In Hackbridge, our sustainable suburb plans have resulted in a number of major developments which, with the close involvement of residents, is hoped will bring a new commercial centre to the area.

And in Sutton the combination of public realm investment and our Opportunity Sutton Economic Strategy, launched earlier this year, has seen a surge of development proposals for the town centre, and the establishment of a Business Improvement District, recently voted through by local businesses.

There have been other, smaller initiatives. However, we believe that it is our strong political commitment to supporting the local economy, and practical assistance in sourcing funds to improve our high streets, that has given businesses and developers the confidence to invest in Sutton.

Sutton is leading a debate on how can councils promote thriving town centres and high streets at this year’s London Summit 2012 on November 17th. This is a free event for Councillors and potential councillors in London

* Councillor Jayne McCoy is chair of the Housing, Economy and Business Committee of the London Borough of Sutton.