www.CoExist.org.uk

 

Are you the owner of an empty building in the Southend Area?

There is a well-established history of artists taking over empty shops and buildings for temporary exhibitions or projects in the community.  In the current economic climate this arrangement between property owners and artists is being actively supported by local councils.

Advantages of doing this include:
  • attracting local communities and visitors to an area, where they may use local businesses
  • maintaining town centres and high streets which have faced multiple closures as a result of the recession
  • offsetting empty property business rates as properties used for temporary activities are no longer liable for these rates
  • specimen legal documents available for landlords to speed up and cut costs on the process of lending or letting spaces temporarily
CoExist have developed a network of strong local art links and are keen to work on short-term shows with local businesses to promote cultural regeneration - to find out more about how local government are keen to get involved please check out this link:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/towncentres

"This short guide is for town centre managers and their local partners. It offers practical help in setting out how we can work together to make sure that our town centres reach their full potential, even in tough times, so that we can all enjoy, and be proud of, the centres of our great towns.

But it also looks further ahead. It is vital that those involved in town centres - planners, service managers, businesses, local groups and communities - develop a clear vision, and actively plan to take advantage of new opportunities when the recovery begins."

Please e-mail us at coexist (at) hotmail.co.uk if you have a property and would like to find out more about collaborating with CoExist.