Category Archives: News Centre

Excited to be heading out this week to visit the first of 8 new locations we’ll be delivering #TheVacantShopsAcademy tackling #highstreet vacancy approach. 8️⃣ They’re a mix of town centres with headline empty shops rates in the mid-teens and those … Continue reading →

Two years on. Picking up a journeys thread from our good #highstreet #placemaking friend Chris Wade FIPM at People, Places & Parking Process on the theme of sustainable travel. Having committed to travelling by train to #TheVacantShopsAcademy locations wherever possible, … Continue reading →

Learned a huge amount from an enjoyable and insightful #placemaking out & about in Gloucester. A city with sooooo much happening in its different segments. Among them: The pioneering University of Gloucestershire repurposing of the sizeable former Debenhams store, being … Continue reading →

So it’s looking like the new powers to allow local authorities to ‘force’ an auction to rent long-time empty #highstreet units won’t be available ‘this summer’ as planned. Was your place hoping to make use of High Street Rental Auctions…? … Continue reading →

We often talk in #TheVacantShopsAcademy ‘next steps’ narrative for the places we’re commissioned, and on here, about splitting vacant units as a route to getting them re-occupied. 🪜That can be dividing large ground floor, often ex-department store, units into smaller … Continue reading →

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 →