Are you putting vinyls on empty units in your town or city centre.
It’d be great to hear experiences, positive or challenging.
We were asked by one of the locations we’re supporting on tackling #highstreet vacancy about the approach to some of their long-time empties.
So we’ve drafted a briefing based on projects we’ve seen or been involved with in case that’s helpful.
First thing we emphasised is that we see ‘vinyling’ as an option but one that’s down a priority list. Where possible we’d encourage the place to be looking to support agents and landlords to get a unit let, either long-term or initially on a short term, pop-up, ‘meanwhile… use’ basis.
‘Vinyling’ comes next i.e. where getting the unit back in play isn’t going to be possible for some time either because:
- there are development or refurbishment plans for it;
- there is a former tenant that left with term still in their lease and is still paying rent so that, though visibly vacant, the unit is technically occupied;
- it cannot be let for a time because the previous occupier went into administration and that process is still working through;
- the unit is in a poor way inside and significant works are required before it can be used again.
That then takes you to permissions, practicalities and potential conversations about planning, listed building status, advertising consent and business rates.
So it can be complex getting to a solution but waaaaay better for the place and neighbour businesses than leaving a unit looking less than its best, no…?
