Getting empty shops back in use can boost ‘Pride in Place’ AND drive economic growth.
As tackling highstreet vacancy is the focus of our work with 45 UK locations now, we’re used to thinking that having too many empty units is just an obvious negative to be put right.
What’s maybe less well explained is how doing that contributes significantly to achieving those two high profile government policy objectives.
Here’s how…
On ‘Pride in Place’, empty units…
- often look bad so create a negative perception among residents;
- can attract ASB;
- provoke negative media stories;
- increase the risk your place will feature in a national ‘worst for empty shops’ list.
On economy…
- They’re literally a waste of space that could instead be a growth-building opportunity for local businesses, arts & crafts, creative, culture, community, education, health & wellbeing, especially in places with an ‘inclusive economy’ objective;
- They make things harder for existing businesses, increasing the chance that they’ll leave also;
- Discourage inward investment by would-be new occupiers.
Get them back into play, especially when you do that as a ‘place’ so that the lettings are to use types residents and existing businesses have asked for, and…
- The units look better;
- There are new occupiers to attract customers who maybe also support existing businesses;
- Jobs are created;
- Revenues boosted;
- Inward investment becomes a better option…
- …and you have upbeat stories to tell.
Boosting ‘Pride in Place’, driving economic growth.
And all this builds momentum in an upward steps effect, rather than the worsening downward spiral you get with increasing or even stable vacancy.
The real positive here tho is that we know how to reduce empty shop numbers and improve the mix of uses. You can see local town and city centre teams doing it.
Do let us know if your place is up for joining them…
