Putney.news is proud to support the Save the High Street campaign, a community-led charitable effort to drive some life back into Putney High Street.

We have all seen what’s happened to what was a bustling, dynamic High Street. It’s been six years since the Marks & Spencers shut down; a decade since the White Lion (Wahoo, Walkabout, The Litten Tree, Slug & Lettuce) last opened its doors.

Every few months we lose another business. Then, after months – or years – of white paper in the windows and rotting facades, we see the restaurant, or clothes store, or local retail space replaced with a fast food joint or nail salon. Putney doesn’t need any more fast food places.

So what do we do about it?

Save the High Street has been created to answer that question. According to its founder, Kieren McCarthy, it has a goal and a mission.

The goal is to get the High Street thriving again and to do that by understanding what is stopping Putney from thriving like so many other High Streets in South West London (Richmond or Wimbledon or Barnes), and come up with “real, practical, pragmatic solutions” that are in the interests of everyone: landlords, business owners, would-be entrepreneurs and, of course, Putney residents.

“We’re done with complaining, or pointing at the problem and telling others they need to fix it,” McCarthy told Putney.news. “It’s time to do the hard work of making things happen.”

And the mission? “To create a High Street that not only draws people back to the High Street but boosts local business. Save the High Street is being set up as a charity that will not only get empty spaces open but also pull in local businesses, entrepreneurs, artists, restauranteurs – all the aspirational people that live in Putney.

“The idea is to get doors open and then find the best way to hand the space off to independent and community focused individuals or companies who can use the opportunity to build for the future.”

If you want to get involved or have a great idea for a shop, community project, or event space, get in touch – you can sign up to the Save the High Street mailing list on this page.

And in case you’re wondering just how bad things have got, Putney.news has created a map of all the shops currently closed on Putney High Street.