What can be done about empty shops?

[Toblerone345]

Just that, really! I went into town the other day and noticed a lot more empty shops than when I last went to town back in March. This isn't massively surprising given what's going on at the moment, but it's been a problem for years and years and seems to be getting worse in most places across the country, from what I've read. It's got me thinking about what can be done to prevent this (in the long term, not necessarily anything coronavirus related) or at least to stop the units from falling into disrepair. There are some gorgeous buildings here that have been empty for over a year.

Does anyone have the solution? Does anyone live somewhere that has a success story in terms of turning around a dying high street? I can't really think of anything other than reducing rents, but nobody can make that happen other than the landlords. I remember 10 years ago or so the council where I used to live encouraged artists and charities to use empty units to display their work and it made everything look less drab, but not sure if it made much difference.

You can but orange spotted leggings online but you can't try them on irbe sure the colour is true to the photo.

Surely this is where the government should be putting some post COVID arrangements through preferably negotiation with landlords ( rather than funds) to lower rents and support independent businesses.

I'm hoping that the demise of some of the big conglomerates will be an opportunity for smaller, quality independent shops. A return of the high street.

Before covid I thought pop up shops were a good idea.

It avoids the financial drain of long term rent for a high street presence, but it allows online sellers to have a short term showcase where people can get a sense of the quality, sizing etc of their products and so be more likely to order in future. It also hopefully means people will return regularly to the town centre as shops will be changing.

There is definitely a gap in the market for a post office combined with fitting rooms and a crèche / coffee shop where mums can go on their days off to take receipt of their online parcels, try on the clothes and package them back up to send them back straight away if they don’t fit...

I wonder if this is an opportunity, albeit a far reaching one. Could it be possible to re-think old town centres as leisure destinations ? Re-purpose upper floors of shops into work/live spaces as I think the nature of work will change. Shop fronts into cafes, pop ups, luxury and niche shops, soft play, art activities, independent cinemas/theatres, micro breweries with bars etc to make the town centres a place to socialise and spend leisure time. There is probably going to be surplus office space in town centres too so another option to solve housing shortages perhaps ? It does all depend on landlords having a really big change in mindset and councils to be ambitious though.

Not sure how feasible any of this is, but my idea is:

Incentivise destination shops (with reduced business rates) that combine retail and leasure eg. Craft shop that also runs lessons/groups, instrument shops that do lessons and band meets, book shops with childrens book reading and creative writing groups, play cafe that has space for baby groups etc. Could be on a sliding scale so shops get a bigger reduction the more groups they run. This would increases footfall through the town, so benefit surrounding shops.

Compulsory purchase any property that is empty for over a year. This would have 2 effects, first landlords would be more inclined to keep units occupied, so reduced rents. And any that were purchased would be run by a 'buisness unit association' (like houseing association for shops) who could support new business start-ups, (maybe free rent for 6months, then half for 6 months, then full rent once established). They would also give priority to destination shops described above.

Free park and ride, or other improved public transport.

Of course query if they’d listen to these ideas because they are coming from mothers, with small kids... a target market, you’d think, but not often consulted on town planning...

@stellabelle That sounds interesting. Maybe other councils will do something similar to stop everything looking so drab and depressing.

To those saying the high street has had its time, I agree to a certain extent as I can't remember the last time I found clothes I liked in a shop. I think it's more of a buying problem than a high street problem, though. If there were more shops that offered something in between bewjelled neon orange bralets and frumpy granny clothes I reckon they'd make a killing. If I could find stuff that was nice I'd happily go out and buy it as I prefer trying things on first.

@TheDogsMother I think that could be a good idea. All those things you mentioned can't be replicated online, and all cinemas/theatres/arts places etc. are out of town, at least where I live, so there might be space for something like that in the centre.

For the first time since I've lived here all of the units are actually occupied, many local businesses have flourished through lockdown. The butchers, greengrocer, DIY shop have all offered delivery (for free), put in place safe measures to ensure they could remain open throughout, and have kept their prices down. Prior to this it was more appealing for a lot of people to pop to the supermarkets, but with queuing and struggling for delivery slots this hasn't been the case- I just hope people keep on using them! I think with the other shops they are owned and run by people who are passionate about what they sell, and knowledgeable. For example, there is a bookshop, and the family who own it know so much about books, authors, recommendations, they arrange guest speakers, do colourful displays, and it's a really nice experience, better than you get in a high street retailer. Amazon is cheaper, but the atmosphere and the knowledge make it really enjoyable, and the prices aren't too wild. There is also a baby cafe and the sisters who run it have really made a space which you can't get on the high street or online. Just 2 examples but you get my drift. Personally I feel the people are as important as the products when it comes to shops that cannot afford to be the cheapest, or to offer the biggest range of stuff. There are also takeaways (but no chain ones), and the charity shops are good, always find some really good books for DS or toys. The same landlord actually owns most of the high street, and when a unit has been empty in the past, he has offered the first few months of rent for free, which I guess has given some the nudge to try it. There is also an annual street fair which runs along the high street so people who visit get to see what shops there are, and the best bit is some great pubs.

A big dept store in my town has been turned into a hotel.

I like the idea of very short term lets for pop,up shops. It may well suit/help some small traders who couldn’t afford a long term shop. Will increase their profile and could lead to other stuff....let them dip their toe in?