– one with a landlord, the other an agent – but a huge amount learned about the town centre in focus…
…but maybe more importantly, looking at the bigger national picture, another illustration of how having a working together, ‘place partnership’ approach to this issue can get the job done – empty units let, mix of uses improved – quicker, better and more sustainably.
We need more of these conversations. More working together.
If we get that we’ll see more places taking chunks out of their headline highstreet vacancy percentage and the national rate dropping into single figures where it belongs.
Why…?
The insights shared about the buildings, their histories, status, options and opportunities make such a difference to thinking about how best to get them let again…
…so much more than you can get from street-level observation and even via lettings details (if any are available given the typically big number of visibly vacant units that don’t have an agent instructed).
You can also get a wealth of information about:
+ the types of business there’s demand for space from;
+ potential barriers that hold up landlord-tenant agreements (even things that maybe don’t look obvious from the outside like VAT or bank loans);
+ the scope (or not) for ‘alternative’ / additional use types like residential, office, creative, health etc.
All these help illustrate why the ‘place partnership’ approach with agents, landlords, businesses, community, cultural organisations, council(s), chamber, BID where there is one and others added locally works. Bringing to the table more expertise, experience, connections, resources, funding and maybe powers than one or two partners working alone.
If your place needs to get on the tackling vacancy case, especially if you’re considering High Street Rental Auctions to help, we’d love to talk…
…and if your an agent or landlord it’d be great to get your take on things as they stand.
