Sometimes in a town or city centre a particular empty unit draws your attention.
Maybe it’s attractive, unusual, heritage even…
…and makes you wonder what its story is, why it’s empty, what options there are for its future and how the place can help it get there.
Often talking to the agent or landlord you’ll find a letting is agreed or one is close. For others it’s empty and available, potentially with use-limiting barriers to overcome.
Maybe it needs work, the ground floor is too big for current demand, it has upper floors that could be separated off for a different use. Access can be a challenge.
This is where the positive, proactive, tackling vacancy-focused ‘place partnership’ we are keen for all town and city centres where this is an issue comes in.
It brings together agents, landlords, businesses, community, cultural organisations, councils, chamber, BID where there is one plus others identified locally, to work on this, together.
Ideally they start by getting the keys and taking a look inside priority empty units in their place, think about potential use options, assess the barriers to getting them back into play, how they’re best overcome, and importantly work out which of the partners needs to step up to help make that happen.
That includes trying as a team to identify and attract businesses or organisations that add to your current mix, and match your wish list. Maybe that’s #retail, #hospitality and services or one from our longer list that starts with arts & crafts and runs through community use to education and health & wellbeing.
Do you have this approach making a difference on your #highstreet…? We know it works and can help take a significant chunk out of your vacancy rate, even if that’s currently in the mid / high teens or over 20 per cent.
It’d be great to hear…
