How to inject life back into our struggling towns and cities.

This is just one of the things we discussed at the meeting Stronger Communities, Stronger Economy.

Unfortunately this is only a theory at the moment but if we discuss and try to find a common way, then maybe we could make it work.

I believe there could be two ways for this idea to work :

Our shopping centres become more like graveyards each day. If we do nothing... the shopping centres will die. We could try a new way.

Way 1.

Shop Sharers.

Let's say for example, that you are a small producer of wonderfully detailed objects, which take time to develop. You need to produce stock/artwork and also sell stock/artwork.

Imagine you could have a shop open 7 days a week and still spend most of your time, working on new work. Smaller businesses sometimes don't need much space. If this sounds like you, read on...

Imagine only having to pay a 7th of your rent and business rates.

Imagine having a shop in a main shopping area open 7 days a week but you only have to work one day each week in the shop.

With “Shop Sharers” you literally share your shop with 6 other tenants. You would hopefully, either present as a group or we could team you up with 6 other people that we think would compliment your work.

You all have an area of the shop to call your own and it's up to you to keep it stocked and looking good. We need to work on a system where it doesn't matter who sells what... The profits should be pooled in some way, to encourage your fellow sharers to sell your work too. If each sharer helps to sell your work, as well as their own, then the scheme could work. This would encourage collaboration and community and 7 heads all working together. If a client walks up to a piece that isn't yours but they like it... you have to sell it as opposed to trying to sell, just your own work. For the scheme to work though, we need to work for each other and put our own ambitions to one side and work for the good of the whole group. If the shop succeeds, you all succeed.

Before you all say “but it'll never work”... Lets think creatively!

There has to be some form of agreement to share your trading space and to provide protection for everyone involved in the sharing.

When you sign up to the scheme there are two conditions (for now) which need to be met.

Firstly... your deposit.

6 months of your rent must be deposited and held as security for your fellow shop sharers. Might sound a lot but remember! You only have to raise a 7th of the total cost.

For instance, you have a major stock failure and cannot trade. Your first three months of rent will be covered, to assist you in recovery. What this means is that your portion of the rent to be paid, will be taken from the collected deposits. If you cannot recover your business by the end of the second month of defaulting rent payment, you will be asked to vacate by the end of the 3rd month. If you recover well and your deposit is replenished, you get your three month grace again.

If not...

The other 3 months rent is then used to help your fellow shop sharers, to meet the rent and costs, whilst arranging for someone to fill your space.

You can walk away with minimal loss and your fellow shop sharers lose nothing other than your good company.

The second condition is fairly simple :

You must agree to undertake the cleaning and refurbishment of your shop front (hopefully we can arrange some kind of grant scheme to help achieve this). And it's back to the old fashion days of pride in your shop and it's appearance. Get on your hands and knees and clean that step.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT!

Let's eradicate these dirty, uncared for properties which are destroying our chances of survival and making our environment horrible and foreboding. Everything needs cleaning!

As part of the scheme we would endeavour to set up complimentary businesses around you, to help foster community spirit and a nature of caring and community. Our business districts need to work as one unit. Everyone works for the greater good of the community and the community works for the greater good of each individual involved.

We would hope to provide an environment for you to work in and to play in. Somewhere to meet, somewhere to eat and somewhere to share.

Way 2.

Live and work. (again only a concept... soz).

Rent a flat above a shop and get the shop rent FREE! For 6 months.

There are lots of shops now closed down and the situation aint gonna get better unless we break the mold and introduce a new way.

Here's the plan.

You agree to rent a flat and open the shop below. You pay full rent on the flat but the rent for the shop comes with some incentives.

1st 6 months rent free.

2nd 6 months 25% rent paid.

2nd year you pay 50% rent on the shop.

3rd year you pay 75% rent on the shop.

By the time you enter your 4th year full rent. The stabilisers come off and you're on your own. If you aint a success by then, you never will be.

The benefits to the council and the greater community :

Shops are filled with new and unique businesses.

Shop fronts cleaned and restored.

Responsible people hanging around, meeting, working and playing... greater security, money starts to move and the area rises.

With people encouraged to live above shop units, again greater security and community and also the spin off of business to surrounding complimentary business such as cafe's, bars, and other entertainment venues. The night time economy thrives and our shopping areas transformed by the movement of people again, where once they became ghost towns after 5.30 pm.

If studied, I'm sure you would find that it's better to have people living in our shopping areas even on free or reduced rent. The extra revenue gathered, just from general living and spending, would be almost immediately noticable. The clean up operation would encourage greater security for all and less strain on our police force.

Encouraging our shopping areas to create a true sense of care, community and safety.

Eventually after only three years our local economy is jumping again. Locals return to a rejuvinated shopping area which encourages creativity, community and caring. The council receives full rent from 60% all of its tenants (as some will always be starting on the scheme with free rent for 6 months) and 95% of all properties now have a use and are clean and cared for.

In effect the council get a load of caretakers for free and a kick started economy and a massive amount of positive publicity.

Private landlords can also join the scheme but the rules must be the same and any shop front not complying with the clean up should be encouraged (by force of fines, if needed) to clean up.

These rotting buildings need to be addressed now, they threaten our chances of success.

Utopia... lovely int eet.