Empty nest syndrome

Temporarily converting empty shops into social enterprises, local art displays or learning centres will help innovative communities prevent high streets declining, according to Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears...

Ms Blears was chairing a seminar with Culture Secretary Andy Burnham on tackling 'recession in the high street' with councils, business leaders, landlords and town centre managers.

The Government is also announcing new measures and up to £3 million to help communities find creative ways to reduce the negative impact empty shops have on the high street - vital for town centre and business confidence.

The new provisions including special planning application waivers, standard interim-use leases, and temporarily leasing shops to councils will allow empty shops to get makeovers for use as cultural, community or learning services.

Councils can also use licensing powers positively to permit things like farmers markets that bring local produce to the high street. The measures are being published in a practical guide, Looking after our Town Centres, which identifies the best ways and steps communities can take to keep town centres thriving.

Ms Blears said, "Empty shops can be eyesores or crime magnets. Our ideas for reviving town centres will give communities the know how to temporarily transform vacant premises into something innovative for the community - a social enterprise, a showroom for local artists or an information centre - and stop the high street being boarded up."

Mr Burnham said, "Culture and creativity are part of the answer to tough economic times. Nobody wants to see town centres fade and decay. By transforming otherwise empty town centre premises into hubs for culture and creativity, we can regenerate both the physical space itself and the hope and ambition of all those that have a stake in them."

Cllr Margaret Eaton, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said, "The best option is for new or existing businesses to move into empty premises. Where new occupants for a shop can't be found, councils need to take the lead to stop our high streets sliding into decline. The millions of pounds spent resuscitating this country's town centres must not go to waste during these bad times.

"Empty shops could be used to provide a whole range of services that would benefit local people during the recession. Be it an information centre or a bring-and-buy sale, these things could be done without spending significant amounts of money."

Source: www.housingnews.co.uk