Community groups and town centres should become central to the administration of policy at a local level, a report has concluded. The ‘Clubbing Together: The Hidden Wealth of Communities’ ResPublica publication has said that national and local levels of Government should recognise the social value of town centres and shared environments in the formation of communities.

The report stressed that the impact of policy changes on the social values of communities should be constantly assessed, particularly because it saw the involvement of clubs and groups in local initiatives to be crucial for positive civic action.

It concluded that multi-functional spaces in town centres should be fully supported by the Government, receiving incentives to further promote community use.

Martin Blackwell, chief executive of the Association of Town Centre Management (ATCM), welcomed the findings of the report, suggesting that the importance of town centres had already been recognised by the Government’s Mary Portas grant scheme.

‘Almost 90% of the UK population live and work in towns or cities, and nearly everyone depends on them for access to shopping, entertainment, leisure, culture and transportation,’ he said

‘I think we are at a pivotal moment. People are asking the basic question – “how shall we live” – and deciding that they are missing the society of others that town centres bring,’ Blackwell added.