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Turn more of the Government's empty buildings over to community or business use Turn more of the Government's empty buildings over to community or business use
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Here in Lancashire we rarely take lessons from over the Pennines. But in a small West Yorkshire market town there's a great example of a community resource that I'd love to see in my constituency.

Otley Magistrates' Court was closed in 1997. But by 2004, with the help of local people, it was transformed into a fantastic community arts and resource centre. Set up as a charity, they secured a 25-year lease on a peppercorn rent.		Here in Lancashire we rarely take lessons from over the Pennines. But in a small West Yorkshire market town there's a great example of a community resource that I'd love to see in my constituency.

Otley Magistrates' Court was closed in 1997. But by 2004, with the help of local people, it was transformed into a fantastic community arts and resource centre. Set up as a charity, they secured a 25-year lease on a peppercorn rent.
Today, it's home to salsa dancing, touring theatre and a huge variety of music from brass bands to Celtic fusion. It has a free computer suite, holds tai chi classes, stand-up comedy, literature and science festivals. There really is something for everyone.Today, it's home to salsa dancing, touring theatre and a huge variety of music from brass bands to Celtic fusion. It has a free computer suite, holds tai chi classes, stand-up comedy, literature and science festivals. There really is something for everyone.
In Rochdale, like hundreds of other towns across the country, our magistrates' court stands empty, following a large-scale closure programme carried out by the Government last year.In Rochdale, like hundreds of other towns across the country, our magistrates' court stands empty, following a large-scale closure programme carried out by the Government last year.
Some £2.5million a year is currently being spent out of the public purse just on maintaining these empty courts. The Government is expected to spend another £70million this year in business rates on its empty properties, which, at the last count, number around 550. That's 456,000 square metres of empty space that's doing nothing except cost the taxpayer. Some of these properties have been gathering dust for years and are leased until 2037.Some £2.5million a year is currently being spent out of the public purse just on maintaining these empty courts. The Government is expected to spend another £70million this year in business rates on its empty properties, which, at the last count, number around 550. That's 456,000 square metres of empty space that's doing nothing except cost the taxpayer. Some of these properties have been gathering dust for years and are leased until 2037.
In my view, this is a case of wasted space, wasted money and wasted opportunities.In my view, this is a case of wasted space, wasted money and wasted opportunities.
In the last week, the Government announced it would be releasing 20 empty Government buildings for start-up businesses at affordable rents. This is to be welcomed but it really is a token effort. Only one of these buildings is in Greater Manchester, for example. Ministers need to go a lot further if they're to encourage new start-ups and breathe vitality and community spirit back into neglected areas hit hardest by recession.In the last week, the Government announced it would be releasing 20 empty Government buildings for start-up businesses at affordable rents. This is to be welcomed but it really is a token effort. Only one of these buildings is in Greater Manchester, for example. Ministers need to go a lot further if they're to encourage new start-ups and breathe vitality and community spirit back into neglected areas hit hardest by recession.
Imagine if these buildings were open to community groups, people working in the creative industries or young entrepreneurs. This would re-invigorate and give new purpose to areas where town teams are battling hard with little resources.Imagine if these buildings were open to community groups, people working in the creative industries or young entrepreneurs. This would re-invigorate and give new purpose to areas where town teams are battling hard with little resources.
In the two years I've been Rochdale's MP I've met lots of community innovators and people with entrepreneurial flair. The best way for these talents to be realized for the good of our towns and cities is to give them a home. When times are tough, it's more important than ever to work creatively. That's why we need to have a serious national debate about empty space and start doing all we can to turn empty public buildings into development space for a new generation.In the two years I've been Rochdale's MP I've met lots of community innovators and people with entrepreneurial flair. The best way for these talents to be realized for the good of our towns and cities is to give them a home. When times are tough, it's more important than ever to work creatively. That's why we need to have a serious national debate about empty space and start doing all we can to turn empty public buildings into development space for a new generation.
Simon Danczuk will be speaking at High Street Revival in Manchester on Friday 15 June. Simon Danczuk, Labour MP for Rochdale, will be speaking at High Street Revival in Manchester on Friday 15 June.