A key Government figure will be addressing a new Shropshire event looking at how empty buildings in town centres can be revitalised.
The High Street ‘Meeting of Minds’ seminar will feature Vicki Bidwell, policy lead for High Street Rental Auctions at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, as one of the main speakers.
It is the latest in a series of events to be hosted by Good2Great - a Shropshire-based consultancy which specialises in helping businesses to grow and High Streets to thrive - and will be staged on Thursday April 24, from 2pm until 4:30pm, at the Festival Drayton Centre, in Market Drayton.
Sally Themans, of Good2Great, who will lead the day, is an experienced ‘High Street champion’ who has worked with towns and individual retailers across the Midlands, advising on uniting communities, businesses and authorities to drive change and create healthy local economies. 
She has been successful with her Love Bridgnorth, Love Wellington and Love Shifnal campaigns as well as High Street Boost programmes in Stafford and South Staffordshire.
“This seminar will examine the latest powers given to local authorities with the new High Street Rental Auctions, as well as exploring the role the community plays in shaping prominent and important assets within a place. It’s set to be a useful event which will be attended by people from across the Midlands.
“Delegates will hear about successful examples of community ownership as one of the means to break the deadlock on empty High Street properties which are often poorly-maintained and can prove a real obstacle to the best efforts of High Street regeneration.
“Themes will explore innovative approaches to revitalising town centres, strategies for sustainable local development and fostering community collaboration to create thriving spaces.”
Other speakers include Iain Nicholson (founder of The Vacant Shops Academy) and Charlotte Hollins of Fordhall Organic Farm in Market Drayton - England's first community-owned farm.
Anyone interested in attending should email jenna@good-2-great.co.uk
Pictured: Vicki Bidwell
