We talk a lot on here about empty units, and what might take those spaces, about town and city centres, policy and projects, awesome heritage buildings, #streetart and installations…
…and maybe not enough about the most important part of all this – the people.
I often say there’s no such thing as a council. It’s not a thing. If it’s not getting something the way you’d like in your place, it’s not because there’s something inherently wrong with the infrastructure, and when you see one doing something great it won’t certainly mean yours will do the same. What makes the difference in these and all the organisations involved in #place making is the people.
With our focus on tackling #highstreet vacancy they’re the ones who’ll make up that ‘place partnership’: the individual proactive agents, engaged landlords, business owners and their teams, community leaders and volunteers, cultural organisation managers and creatives, councillors and officers, BID CEOs, their boards and staff.
To everyone who’s working hard to make their place the best it can be. It’s great working with you and seeing the impact you’re making…!
It’s challenging still but there’s sooooo much great work being done, so many #HighStreetPositives to share and learn from.
Locations we’re working with for #TheVacantShopsAcademy are seeing striking reductions in empty ‘shops’ numbers, with encouraging signs of more to come, if we can only inspire other place leaders and managers to take on the approach, to believe it works, because it does…
…and that, finally, the long-stuck 14% national vacancy rate will start to fall.
Here’s hoping…!
