Really liked that our first briefing note of the new year was setting out for a local school suggestions of the very many ways they can play a significant and impactful part in a tackling #highstreet vacancy project for their town.
Education is one key element of a group of potential uses for vacant units which also includes arts & crafts, creative, culture, community, history & heritage, leisure, health and health & wellbeing, alongside #retail, #hospitality and services…
…but – as my note showed – there’s so much more they can contribute.
On taking vacant units, it’s not that easy to find many examples across the places we’re working with #TheVacantShopsAcademy or visiting because there are challenges around staff time, classroom & exam commitments, funding.
Certainly though, on a pop up basis and possibly for longer, we believe a school, college or university could take on an empty unit or building:
+ As extra classrooms;
+ For arts & crafts exhibition or performance space;
+ To showcase or even sell student-made products;
+ As a community hub for parents;
+ To host inter-generational workshops where young people and older exchange skills and learning.
Beyond that students, their parents, former pupils, feeder schools and local companies signed up as school or college business partners can also play a part in:
+ consultation about what the town centre needs going forward;
+ streetart, wall art & shutterart – both design and delivery;
+ planting projects;
+ live briefs where students work with town centre shops or venues on business planning, marketing, social media;
& more.
We’ve seen proactive examples of education directly involved in their town or city centre including Gloucester, Poole, Kingston. No doubt property and placemaking colleagues will know of others they can share. It’d be great to hear from you…
…and we very much hope 2025 will be a year those case studies spread.
