Hammond sets out £1.5bn high street regeneration plan

But experts say business rates help for small retailers is ‘tinkering around the edges’The government is to trial a register of empty shops in England as part of a £1.5bn high street regeneration plan that could also see strict planning laws relaxed so shuttered stores can be turned into homes.A dedicated high street task force was also announced as the chancellor, Philip Hammond, conceded that high streets were under pressure “as never before” as Britons embraced o