Author Archives: Iain Nicholson

Just imagine how much #highstreet impact this would have…! 🗝️ “A new £25m funding programme for centres with above average vacancy rate, to focus on bringing empties back into use.” That’s one of two ‘Vacant to Vibrant’ recommendations in a … Continue reading →

We’re really lucky with #TheVacantShopsAcademy to be working with a number of #BID managers on tackling #highstreet vacancy challenges (with more just joining)… 🎤 …but it was interesting and inspiring to sit quietly (for me) at the back of the … Continue reading →

What makes you visit a place… …and importantly, return time and time again, and encourage others to do so. Thinking this while out & about #highstreet #placemaking with #TheVacantShopsAcademy in the lovely Cathedral City of Ripon. So factors…? Maybe. 🛍️ … Continue reading →

🤔 Who said that about where…? While you’re thinking (if you have to), I’ll say it made for a very enjoyable and insightful #highstreet #placemaking out & about with #TheVacantShopsAcademy. Just visiting in this case. And found lots to like: … Continue reading →

“Problem is two of the empty units we have are ex-banks.” It’s something I heard again this week while out & about with #TheVacantShopsAcademy, and is a regular challenge places face. 🤔 Why…? 💷 …and in any case that means … Continue reading →

Insightful and enjoyable day with Louise Welsby and the team at Buy-From this week. 🚈 After two and a half years of tackling #highstreet vacancy projects for #TheVacantShopsAcademy, it’s really helpful to take time to stand back, reflect on the … Continue reading →

I’m not sure how much of the campaign cake #highstreet and specifically tackling vacancy will get, maybe a small slice given other priorities. But now we know places can halve their headline vacancy rate and by doing things all towns … Continue reading →

A useful addition to the tackling #highstreet vacancy toolkit or unnecessary and unworkable. ⚖️ The incoming High Street Rental Auctions power for local councils has certainly divided opinion amongst #property and #placemaking colleagues. 🤔 What do you think…? This is … Continue reading →

One of the (many) joys of #highstreet #placemaking is finding projects that are making a real difference in their communities, and in these cases making great use of difficult to let vacant units. As part of an all round enjoyable … Continue reading →

🏗️ There’s always something changing to see on a #placemaking out & about in #Oxford. Not to ‘audit, engage’ as I did in city centre management days there, but just to walk-see out of interest. 🛌 What was #retail repurposed … Continue reading →