Why don’t we paint the benches…?

Seems like a question that’s a long way from our typical threads on tackling #highstreet vacancy.

🚽 But around half of the ‘next steps’ narratives we share with #TheVacantShopsAcademy locations we’re working with on that issue are less directly about measures related to the empty units themselves and more about #placemaking: street scene, furniture, #streetart, toilets, signage, wayfinding, events, promotion and the like.

🔑 It’s part of an exercise we try where we’ll take the local team to look at an empty unit and ask them to list all the things an agent or landlord should do to get it let. Then ask them to turn round, back to the unit and look out and list all the things they see with that perspective which make it harder to find an occupier – issues the ‘place’ working together could fix.

Benches are often on the list. Look tatty, put people off sitting on them, droppings and litter magnets.

🔧 Actually I could’ve started the post with the same question about utility boxes or bins or bollards, phone boxes, notice boards & more. Are all those in your place looking the best they can be…? If not, which of your neighbour places has found a way to get it done…?

So budgets are tight, we’ve other priorities, we don’t have the staff now. But we need find a way – it makes a huge difference to pride in place, footfall, dwell time, inspiring ambassadors for your town or city centre and return visits, inward investment and of course vacancy.

🤔 Or is it just me…?