Empty shop problem

[bobgentry]

I live and work in a small town. Over the past 18 months more and more shops have closed down and the shop units and remaining empty. Our small high street is now looking like a ghost town.
As we run a small online retail shop we obviously carry a lot of stock and we keep thinking we could store and sell our items in a real shop. However all enquiries as to rent and running costs along with the outlay to furnish this shop premises makes this a gamble in the current climate one we can't really afford.

There must be many businesses like ours around the country. What is needed is some way to occupy these empty retail units at very low cost for at least a year to test the viability of the venture.
This would help regenerate our small towns and villages bring in more jobs to the local community and give a boost to lots of small growing companies.
Does any one here know of any government or local initiatives that could help get this off the ground.

 

[wevet]

The market is swaped with closed retail outlets.

Those landlords with a deal of sense will let their units on a short term licence 3-6 months sometimes a monthly.

Unfortunately, the commercial estate agents acting on behalf of landlords are fixated on how much commission they will earn on a long term lease and will often receive enquiries for short term let and in the bin it goes.

So, be subtle, ask about a long term lease. Ask for sight of the lease and find out who the owner is. Having obtained this information ask the agent if a short term let is available. if it is turned down out of hand get in tyouch with the owner using the info you collected earlier.

Make sure you tell the owner that the agent did not see fit to put your proposal forward.

 

[mubin]

Leaseholders are more than happy to be flexible on lease terms with the current down turn. But to give you a empty shop to "see" if it is feasible is not in their mission statement.

As an entreprenuer it is your responsibility to take risk, not theres.

Whilst it is shameful that high streets are turning into ghost towns, this is not the way forward.