Empty Shops or Golden Opportunity?

With the trend of pop-up shops happening throughout the country the question of what happens regarding business rates crops up. Where landlords are being flexible with their rents, what's happening with the councils and the government regarding business rates?

The Government 'Startup Britain' scheme has been launched in partnership with such businesses as John Lewis, Sainsbury's and BT giving new British brands the opportunity to get their products onto the British High Street normally for two weeks at a time, rotating small enterprises who have registered an interest www.popupbritain.com, http://www.startupbritain.co/popupbritain

In our own Harlequin Centre in Exeter, shops lie vacant month in month out with small businesses being put off occupancy, not by rental rates but by the inflexibility of business rates.

With most of the retail units being above the minimum value of £12K, there is no exemption from business rates for small businesses and so instead of providing a thriving retail environment, sections of our shopping areas are looking far from inviting and have lain empty for considerable lengths of time.

Is there a reluctance for small businesses to register an interest in the Startup Britain campaign; do people even know of its existence and are the practical problems of making this campaign work filtering through to our council departments?

We have a John Lewis in our city and a number of Sainsbury's stores, so the support is there but where's it going wrong? If smaller businesses could be encouraged to take these units up with more incentives in place from the council and government regarding business rates and perhaps for longer periods of time than just two weeks, these retail areas would be buzzing with activity, money would be exchanging hands and the whole community would benefit.

Incentives need to be in place, the paying of business rates for pop-up shops needs to be reassessed and deals brought to the table to match the flexibility of the landlords that is now being witnessed by the business community.

Are we happy as a community to accept this ghost town mindset where businesses of any size will not be interested in taking up residence in uninviting environments?

If businesses are to fill units they will want to feel that they are part of a vital and thriving business sector. Nothing is more off putting to prospective retail occupiers than being surrounded by empty spaces and nothing is more tragic than not giving our small retail businesses a chance to make a mark in their own city and to be encouraged with realistic and workable incentives.

Perhaps it's time for Mr Bradshaw to step in? This of course is not just relevant to Exeter but throughout the nation and represents a huge opportunity being missed by short-term thinking.

We believe it's time to think strategically for long-term success and in the process support local businesses desperate to show off their talents and to introduce their wares to the local community.

More action on both sides needs to be forthcoming. What's been your experience? We’d love to have your feedback so get in touch with us here at The Plum Consultancy via contacting our founder Stephanie directly stephanie.walshe@theplumconsultancy.com or Tweet us your thoughts @PlumConsultancy

Imagery courtesy of Pop Up Creative Global