UK High Streets Face 'War on Empty Shops' as Cities Seek Revival

Empty storefronts, once a symbol of economic decline, are now the focus of an ambitious turnaround effort in Aberdeen, Scotland. The city's main thoroughfare, Union Street, once dubbed the "Granite Mile," is grappling with vacant units, a problem mirrored across the United Kingdom. This situation has prompted a hands-on approach to fill empty spaces and redevelop neglected upper floors.

Too Much Retail Space

Across Britain, one in eight High Street properties remain vacant, a persistent issue exacerbated by the rise of online commerce and out-of-town retail centers. "If there was a silver bullet, it would have been fired years ago," commented Jackie Sadek, a former government adviser on urban regeneration.

A significant hurdle is the fragmented ownership of properties, often held by numerous landlords through complex structures, which can slow regeneration efforts. Additionally, many existing units require modernization, and the costs associated with running a High Street business, including employment and business rates, have increased.

Experts suggest that British town centers still have 20% to 40% too much retail space, according to a survey by retail body Revo and real estate consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton. This reality necessitates a fundamental rethink of what town centers should offer.

Filling Vacancies: An Intensive Effort

Aberdeen, which benefited greatly from the North Sea oil boom, saw its city center decline sharply by the end of 2022. In response, the "Our Union Street" coalition, a community-led group, was formed. The group's strategy involves listening to residents' desires, attracting new businesses, and improving the street's aesthetics.

Bob Keiller, head of the coalition, leads a coordinated effort that includes letting agents, the council, landlords, and volunteers. They have audited the street, contacted absent landlords, and encouraged volunteers to clean and paint empty properties to make them more appealing. A website has been created to list available properties and highlight financial incentives, such as council fit-out grants and business rate discounts.

As of early 2024, 33 out of 198 vacant units on Union Street have been filled, with another 14 in the process of being let. While new vacancies continue to emerge, the rate of filling appears to be outpacing the rate of new empties.

Redeveloping Upper Floors and Beyond

Beyond ground-floor retail, attention is also being given to the upper floors of buildings. Iain Nicholson of the Vacant Shops Academy, who has consulted with numerous towns, notes that a lack of active marketing and unclear landlord information are common barriers.

Nicholson emphasizes the need for towns and cities to encourage a wider range of occupiers, including those in arts, culture, leisure, and health services, not solely relying on retail. He commends Aberdeen's