Category Archives: News Centre

It was just one of those special town centres days… An insightful, enjoyable and encouraging trip to meet the team behind the Dewsbury Arcade regen story and some of those who’ll be a crucial part of its next chapter as … Continue reading →

If you could bring one empty unit in your town or city centre back into use, which would it be… and why…? Might it be because it’s a prominent, landmark maybe heritage building, it’s very long time empty, it looks … Continue reading →

“They’re not making this up. This is really what they see and are finding. Their day-to-day experience on and about the #highstreet.” It’s a line I was inspired to use while co-hosting the latest in a series of launch events … Continue reading →

A city that was home during my first run of radio days (who knew…?). A place I’ve returned to often down the years. Chance to see what’s changed and changing and catch up with some of the things that have … Continue reading →

Hugely cheering to see a town centre I’ve been visiting since the mid-1980’s and which means a lot to me, looking and seeming so well… As always when you’re somewhere to walk-see rather than work, it’s important to emphasise that … Continue reading →

“Get the keys. Go take a look inside, as a team.” It’s an answer I gave when asked this week by a group of place leaders and managers about two large, long-time empty units in their town centre. The idea … Continue reading →

Castle walls, heritage buildings, historic figures remembered, striking views. How much do any or all of those play a part in your tackling #highstreet vacancy project…? It’d be great to hear examples from your town or city centre. Those four … Continue reading →

Let’s not allow any empty units we have in our town or city centres to dominate the narrative. Places where vacancy is an issue often find that’s the talk of local social media rather than the great businesses and organisations … Continue reading →

If your town or city centre is changing significantly and quickly, it makes a big difference to your approach to tackling vacancy. It’s one of a range of reasons we ought to be very cautious about publishing league tables of … Continue reading →