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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Sheffield looks to independents to tackle 'high street blight' | Sheffield looks to independents to tackle 'high street blight' |
| (8 days later) | |
| It's hard to avoid the handwringing over the future of Britain's high streets, with 'Queen of Shops' Mary Portas looming like a spectre over the debate and frequent grumbling in local press about the blight of chain stores and empty shopfronts. | It's hard to avoid the handwringing over the future of Britain's high streets, with 'Queen of Shops' Mary Portas looming like a spectre over the debate and frequent grumbling in local press about the blight of chain stores and empty shopfronts. |
| One path forward is being examined by a new community interest company (CIC) in Sheffield, which is trying to boost independent stores and local entrepreneurs by taking advantage of government-approved 'meanwhile use' leases – temporary contracts designed to fill vacant commercial properties. | One path forward is being examined by a new community interest company (CIC) in Sheffield, which is trying to boost independent stores and local entrepreneurs by taking advantage of government-approved 'meanwhile use' leases – temporary contracts designed to fill vacant commercial properties. |
| Common People, the Sheffield CIC, has launched an exhibition in the old Sly building on Division Street in order to demonstrate what can be achieved by creative and commercially viable tenants from Sheffield's independent retailers. | Common People, the Sheffield CIC, has launched an exhibition in the old Sly building on Division Street in order to demonstrate what can be achieved by creative and commercially viable tenants from Sheffield's independent retailers. |
| The exhibition, a collaboration with the International Digital Media Academy, features works from music photographer Ian Tilton – famous for his work with the Stone Roses, the Cure and Nirvana – as well as local artists and photographers. | The exhibition, a collaboration with the International Digital Media Academy, features works from music photographer Ian Tilton – famous for his work with the Stone Roses, the Cure and Nirvana – as well as local artists and photographers. |
| Felicity Hoy, Common People's director, said: "With high rent prices independents are losing faith in high street retail. We aim to experiment with empty shops and rethink what the high street is and open these shops up to an independent market to inspire people to get back in to city centre retail." | Felicity Hoy, Common People's director, said: "With high rent prices independents are losing faith in high street retail. We aim to experiment with empty shops and rethink what the high street is and open these shops up to an independent market to inspire people to get back in to city centre retail." |
| Hoy, who is 27 and grew up in Sheffield, highlighted the current situation of the Sevenstone development project in the centre of the city. The scheme was put on hold in 2009 due to the economic slump and has not been revived since, despite attempts by the council and developer Hammerson's. Hoy believes large sections of empty shops in the city centre deter 'decent' retailers from wanting to trade in the city and that independents can fill these gaps. | Hoy, who is 27 and grew up in Sheffield, highlighted the current situation of the Sevenstone development project in the centre of the city. The scheme was put on hold in 2009 due to the economic slump and has not been revived since, despite attempts by the council and developer Hammerson's. Hoy believes large sections of empty shops in the city centre deter 'decent' retailers from wanting to trade in the city and that independents can fill these gaps. |
| Common People proposes to bring landlords and independents in together through the concept of 'meanwhile use'. According to the Meanwhile Space project, this is the temporary use of empty buildings for a socially beneficial purpose until the property can be brought back into commercial use. Hoy says her aim is to provide an opportunity for local independent retailers to grow and develop unused spaces in the city centre, by creating a process whereby the landlords of these unused spaces can offer formal leases to these independent retailers. | Common People proposes to bring landlords and independents in together through the concept of 'meanwhile use'. According to the Meanwhile Space project, this is the temporary use of empty buildings for a socially beneficial purpose until the property can be brought back into commercial use. Hoy says her aim is to provide an opportunity for local independent retailers to grow and develop unused spaces in the city centre, by creating a process whereby the landlords of these unused spaces can offer formal leases to these independent retailers. |
| Common People, working with Sheffield city council, will ask landlords and independents to agree to an eight-month meanwhile use lease, which they hope will evolve into formal leases at the end of a trial period. The agreement will allow landlords to break the lease at any time and to give the tenant a grace period to end a trial period if they wish to do so. | Common People, working with Sheffield city council, will ask landlords and independents to agree to an eight-month meanwhile use lease, which they hope will evolve into formal leases at the end of a trial period. The agreement will allow landlords to break the lease at any time and to give the tenant a grace period to end a trial period if they wish to do so. |
| Common People from Marishka Van Steenbergen on Vimeo. | Common People from Marishka Van Steenbergen on Vimeo. |
| Hoy said the process would save landlords money while they wait for a commercial option and hopefully lead to independents becoming viable commercial choices. Landlords save money on maintenance, insurance and utility bills as the occupier covers these. The awareness of the potential of an empty space can also be increased through attractive, eye-catching projects happening within these spaces. | Hoy said the process would save landlords money while they wait for a commercial option and hopefully lead to independents becoming viable commercial choices. Landlords save money on maintenance, insurance and utility bills as the occupier covers these. The awareness of the potential of an empty space can also be increased through attractive, eye-catching projects happening within these spaces. |
| "This is quite a big thing in other big cities and I think it is the only way things can be done right now," said Hoy. "Sheffield city council also wants to bring small businesses into the city centre, which is why they have brought in the 100% rates relief for small businesses until 2014 and hopefully that will continue after next year." | "This is quite a big thing in other big cities and I think it is the only way things can be done right now," said Hoy. "Sheffield city council also wants to bring small businesses into the city centre, which is why they have brought in the 100% rates relief for small businesses until 2014 and hopefully that will continue after next year." |
| Hoy is currently drawing up a report and proposal for the landlord of the exhibition space, Henry Boot Plc, arguing against the offer of a tenancy to the betting company William Hill. Hoy says while William Hills seems like a commercially viable option, she believes it will have a negative social impact on Division Street due to the type of customers they will attract. | Hoy is currently drawing up a report and proposal for the landlord of the exhibition space, Henry Boot Plc, arguing against the offer of a tenancy to the betting company William Hill. Hoy says while William Hills seems like a commercially viable option, she believes it will have a negative social impact on Division Street due to the type of customers they will attract. |
| • To find out more about the Iconic Images pop-up exhibition or Common People go to its Facebook page. Marishka Van Steenbergen edits the website Sheffield Unchained | • To find out more about the Iconic Images pop-up exhibition or Common People go to its Facebook page. Marishka Van Steenbergen edits the website Sheffield Unchained |
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