For those of you used to seeing (or maybe even using) the words “greedy” or “absentee” every time you read “landlord”, conversations in recent weeks have suggested some alternatives.
How about “struggling”, “anxious”, “at a loss”, “prepared to try things”…?
It’s one of the (many) reasons we so strongly believe in every town and city centre having a proactive, positive tackling #highstreet vacancy-focused ‘place partnership’ to take on challenges like this together.
The changes we’ve seen in recent years, especially the demise of some department stores, national brands moving out-of-town and banks closing, have left many locations with large, empty and often tricky to let buildings.
Maybe they need re-purposing, to have the upper floors separated off, the ground divided up, a different kind of use, #popup occupiers or vinyling while we sort out the long term – maybe a combination of all those.
But from a landlord perspective, what if you:
- Bought when there was a tenant paying rent that unexpectedly left;
- Had brand #retail or a bank in and now have no hope of securing new tenants for the kinds of sums they paid;
- Are relying on the income for your pension or as a basis for loans;
- Now pay business rates as well as getting zero rent;
- Don’t have the capital to fund major works;
- Are wondering about planning permission you may not win.
Still I’m sensing some reading this will have little or no sympathy.
Be that as it may. I’d argue that the case is made for the ‘place’ to take this on. Have agents, landlords, businesses, community, cultural organisations, council planners, conservation officers and economic development teams, chamber leaders, BID managers where there is one go visit.
See from the inside what could be done on layout, condition etc, which use types might suit and how to attract them, consider ‘meanwhile… use’ and importantly, agree ways you can all play a part.
I’d say you’re more likely to get a quicker more sustainable solution and one that better suits the place, its residents, existing businesses and visitors. You…?
