News

Concise and detailed project overviews from Margate received the first funding support from the Meanwhile Project, led by the Development Trusts Association (www.dta.org.uk) to boost community uses of empty shops. Two projects successfully bid for a total of £25,000. Alongside this financial support, the Meanwhile Project will help with business planning support and draw on the expertise of the DTA's Asset Transfer Unit (www.atu.org.uk).

'Windows of Opportunity' will see the town centre animated by ten arts-installation projects.
'Design Studios' is set to stimulate the creative economy. It will see the former casino, a key town centre property, converted into design studios and hot-desk space to support the growing number of enterprises from the creative sector.

The Meanwhile Project is currently in the 'explore, develop and test' phase and has some limited funds to get things moving as soon as possible. Government has committed to provide further funds to the project later this year to support more beacons of meanwhile use. Further support will shortly be announced to those local authorities with high volume and proportion of empty shops.

The Margate projects, ready to get underway immediately, demonstrated a clear sense of ownership and leadership that had created enthusiastic support from property owners. Locations had been identified and assessed; costings and licensing/planning issues thoroughly researched. In application, this detail was accompanied by relevant photographs . There was also a commitment to capture the meanwhile experience to contribute to the findings of the Meanwhile Project help other projects using empty property for community uses.

Download a project overview form HERE to submit your request for an award of support.