5 steps to ... dealing with empty shops

Stuart Watson, Regeneration & Renewal, 11 May 2009

It suggests ways to combat vandalism and improve the look of town centres, for example by using vacant shop windows to display local information. In Chelmsford, a large-scale map of the town now covers the windows of a former Woolworths store. "It was looking horrible and we feared vandals might smash the windows," says town centre marketing manager Michael Wray.

2. Encourage arts projects. In April, the DCLG launched a grants scheme to provide up to £1,000 for the creative use of empty shops. Organisations such as Stroud Valley Art Space arrange short-term use of premises for arts projects: "It immediately changes the feel of a place and attracts a lot of people - a commercial let can come on the back of that," says director Jo Leahy. Also, allowing a shop to be temporarily used by a charity means landlords can avoid business rate liabilities.

3. Provide a community hub. An empty store in Dewsbury, Yorkshire, now houses community policing and other services like a Sure Start children's centre. "It was very much welcomed and people feel safer knowing it is there," says Batley and Dewsbury towns manager Andrew Sloman.

4. Consider residential uses. An initiative run by Plymouth City Council provides grants for landlords to refurbish residential space above shops. "The scheme also makes sure that the shopfront is smartened up and having people living there generates activity," says the council's empty property officer, Thelma Cunningham.

5. Get a live-in guardian. "A property guardian can live in an empty shop for a small rent and provide protection from vandalism without any planning implications," says David Ireland, chief executive of charity the Empty Homes Agency.

- More information Visit www.emptyhomes.com or www.sva.org.uk or download Looking After Our Town Centres via www.regen.net/doc