Author Archives: Iain Nicholson

How is your town or city centre faring so far in the new #highstreet lettings season. What #retail, #hospitality or services businesses or organisations have taken on empty units… …and importantly are you driving it as a place, working together, … Continue reading →

“Go take a look inside those empty units in your town or city centre, and do it as a team.” It’s something that’s part of our ‘next steps’ for every ‘place partnership’ we’re working with on tackling #highstreet vacancy. Why…? … Continue reading →

Who has new education uses taking up vacant space on your #highstreet…? It’s on our list of ‘alternative’ or maybe better, ‘additional’ go-to uses, alongside #retail, #hospitality & services: arts & crafts, creative, culture, community, history & heritage, leisure, education, … Continue reading →

It’s just lovely to sit and watch #streetart or art installations do their work for a town centre…! Seeing people having their photo taken in front – often, hopefully, for onward use on their social media; Hearing parents explain to … Continue reading →

Is your place keeping across the target new shop or venue location requirements posted here by agents and brand property directors…? It’s a really important part of the role of a tackling #highstreet vacancy-focused ‘place partnership’, and I’d say agent … Continue reading →

“You should aim to halve your #highstreet vacancy rate in 18 months.” I’m never sure whether to actually say this out loud when talking with place leaders about our ‘audit, engage, encourage, promote’ approach to reducing the number of empty … Continue reading →

Shout about the good stuff in your town or city centre… …and please don’t let empty shops dominate the narrative. The message is the same whether you have significant vacancy numbers in the mid / high teens or over 20 … Continue reading →

How exciting is this…! “We’re opening up conversations about how culture can help revitalise the #highstreet, drawing communities back— especially those underrepresented in traditional theatre spaces.” Just thrilled to be working with the team at Northern Soul Productions and three … Continue reading →