The LGA commissioned We Made That to produce good practice guidance which can be used by councils to help enact change and tackle vacancy on high streets and in town centres.
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns have resulted in a significant impact on high streets and town centres across the UK, although the challenge of vacancy has been apparent for a number of years. Combined with long-term trends affecting retail, such as increases in online sales and a growing focus on the ‘experience economy’, the impact is that many high street businesses are reducing their presence in town centres or closing altogether, leaving vacant property in their wake with negative long-term consequences for these places.
The LGA commissioned We Made That to produce a guide for dealing with empty shops, which can be used by councils to help enact change and tackle vacancy on high streets and in town centres. The document highlights and contextualises past and current vacancy trends, details hard and soft powers available to councils, and presents the following action framework of different methods councils have used to tackle vacancy. Specific and detailed good practice case studies from areas across the UK are presented within this framework to further illustrate each method.
- Business/grant funding
- Direct council delivery
- Restoration
- Meanwhile use/pop up
- Business support
- Policy intervention
- Change of use
- Redevelopment
The guidance presents good practice case studies within a framework for tackling vacancy. It presents an approach to vacancy as an existing challenge, rather than preventative measures. It was written in early 2021, and whilst contemporary data regarding the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has been used, the full extent of its influence remains to be seen.
Case studies
Highlighted pages
Dealing with empty shops – a good practice guide for councils
This guidance is for councils faced with challenges around vacancy on their high streets and in their town centres and provides an overview of potential methods to tackle it.
Economic growth hub
We are committed to supporting councils on all aspects of their economic development plans, including employment, re-skilling, high streets, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), procurement and business retention.
Re-thinking local: economic recovery
The only way to level up the economy is to let councils act.