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Reports indicate the high street has bounced back and some empty retail units are finding new tenants. Only some though, and in combination with recent IPD Index findings indicating evaporating momentum behind the Property recovery, it is conceivable that empty buildings and spaces are to be a feature of the high street for some time to come. But something has changed, people are no longer tolerating a building laying idle or hoardings blighting a corner of their neighbourhood; they think they can put it decent use, and they’re willing to do something about it.

Down at Eland House, the trimming shears have been sharpened. However the Meanwhile Project, which has been delivering projects in empty spaces, working with established and new practitioners to gather knowledge and resources and demonstrating the features and benefits to local government and the property sector, will continue.

The Developments Trusts Association and Meanwhile Space CIC will maintain the core activities of the Meanwhile Project, whilst building the arguments to present to the new Secretary of State, bidding for further support to be a catalyst for new Meanwhile Projects. There is some confidence behind the bid. The first two phases of the Meanwhile Project demonstrated how empty spaces can be quickly and cost-effectively used, not just to improve, animate and diversify places by engaging with the artistic community, but also present an opportunity for enterprise and employment generation, tourism and alternative, more comfortable and accessible spaces for service provision. In other words cheap but good quality and effective use of wasted resources, very apt for these times.

Stay up to date with new developments via the meanwhile ning.