Who are you talking to as potential new tenants for the empty units in your town or city centre…?
I really hope that if you’re one of the potential lead organisations – a council, BID or chamber – you are at least on the tackling #highstreet vacancy case.
All our experience stretching back to 2013 now is that where agents, landlords, businesses, community, cultural organisations, council(s), chamber, BID where there is one and others identified locally work together on this you can make a difference to the number of empty units and mix of uses you have, and do so more quickly and sustainably.
In some places the main focus of that work will be attracting #retail, #hospitality and services.
But where your vacancy rate is mid / high teens or even over 20%, the approach might be more focused on arts & crafts, creative, culture, community, history & heritage, leisure, education, health and health & wellbeing as possible new tenants.
That’s been the focus of our work in a number of places in recent weeks, and it’s cheering to find the interest and enthusiasm for playing a part, the buzz you get when leaders of these organisations realise that it’s now a practical possibility for them and that help and support is available.
So to end by answering the question I posed at the outset: do go talk to that full range of potential use types, and work as a ‘place partnership’ to help them secure units. As you do, your town or city centre will see vacancy reduced – maybe halving the rate in 18 months or better – and be more varied and vibrant, so more attractive and resilient.
It’d be great to hear from #property colleagues and places that are along the road already…
