Can Burnham save Britain’s high streets? (FT 19/08/2026)
This is a letter from Matthew Hopkinson that was published in the Financial Times on 24th August 2026.
HOW “LEFT BEHIND” PLACES & THE NEW UEP FRAMEWORK RESHAPE LOCAL FUTURES
In recent years, the phrase “left behind” has moved from a vague political slogan to a precise, measurable reality across the UK. Scholars and parliamentary bodies defi
Launch date announced for Understanding English Places (UEP)
TODAY is a GOOD NEWS day as we announce the official launch date of Understanding English Places (UEP) – an independent and comprehensive source of facts and figures on every tow
Stockton on Tees fundamentally redevelops its offer in retail and space
On Thursday Matthew Hopkinson was asked up to Stockton on Tees by BBC News to be interviewed by Emma Simpson on the huge regeneration of Stockton on Tees where the council acquired
Towns in Ireland adopt the Didobi Night Index to evaluate their night-time economies.
“The Didobi Night Index is an assessment tool which helps to measure a town’s NTE, through the combination of responses from multiple questions, linked to four different as
Global Capital Flows in a World of Increasing Nationalism and Protectionism: 2025 Update
This paper, commissioned by the Investment Property Forum (IPF) research programme, provides an update to the major research paper delivered in 2019 which can be viewed HERE. The 2
Data After Dark: Night Workers Report
This research, in partnership with University College London (UCL) and the Greater London Authority (GLA), seeks to establish a broader understanding of urban communities, culture,
UCL, supported by Didobi, launches London’s first comprehensive research into nightworkers
Night workers face inequalities in pay, health, safety and dignity A major new study by UCL researchers has revealed the challenges faced by London’s 1.3m night workers, includin