If the Makerfield test is to mean anything, it must be applied where people encounter the condition of their community. Putting place first means recognising that a thriving local shop, a clean and safe parade and easy access to everyday essential services are not nice-to-haves. Our recently released Community Barometer report explores what it means to put place first through the lens of local high streets and community services. The interventions needed to create diverse and thriving high streets are not new or necessarily complicated. Ed Woodall is chief executive at the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS)