Is the UK High Street dead, or is it on the verge of its greatest comeback?

In this episode of The Rodcast, Rod Turner sits down with a true champion of British retail, Alex Schlagman, the founder of Save The High Street & Together Futures. They dive deep into the real challenges and surprising opportunities facing our town centres today.

Forget what you think you know about empty shops and the "threat" of e-commerce. Alex reveals how digital-first brands are now desperately seeking physical stores, why empty spaces are a golden ticket for regeneration, and how investors are finding significant returns in unexpected places.

From competitive socialising and flexible workspaces to the AI platform helping small businesses thrive against the odds, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for investors, business owners, and anyone passionate about the future of their local community.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL DISCOVER:

From Threat to Opportunity: How e-commerce is now fuelling a return to physical retail.

Beyond Shopping: Why the future high street is a diverse mix of F&B, leisure, and innovative commercial spaces.

The AI Revolution for Small Business: An introduction to Thriver, the AI-powered platform helping small businesses manage 143 essential tasks.

Investing in the Comeback: Where savvy investors are finding success and the hands-on asset management strategies that work.

The Council's Role: How local authorities can become powerful partners in regeneration and economic growth.

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**KEY TAKEAWAYS & ACTIONABLE ADVICE:**

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* Why flexible lease terms are crucial for attracting new businesses.

* How to develop incubator programs to fill vacant retail spaces.

* The power of using AI technology (like Thriver) to support and scale small business operations.

* The importance of community-level activations and supporting local champions.

* Why reevaluating the business rates system is essential for survival and growth.

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Find out more about Alex's work at: [https://savethehighstreet.org/](www.togetherfutures.com)

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As Always thank you to our sponsors www.978finance.com Contact them to arrange finance on your next deal!

You may have heard about the workshops Rod and Adam Lawrence put on for SME property Businesses. The next is on JV's and M&A in London on 3rd July 2025. Limited tickets left for this event here http://Bit.ly/pbwseven

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