3m to help to boost town centres and transform empty shops into 'something useful'

With many high streets in areas of high deprivation seeing empty shops boarded up because of the downturn, impacting on consumer and business confidence, the Government has made available £3m to help areas hit hardest by the recession find creative ways to reduce the negative impact empty shops are having on the high street.

The funds follow the Government's Looking after our town centres guide, published in April 2009, which was was welcomed by the Association of Town Centre Management for giving councils a host of tips and ideas for combating the effects of the downturn. It has already been downloaded over 9,000 times in only a few months.

Councils in 57 suffering areas will receive a grant of more than £50,000 to use as they see fit on ideas to boost town centres and transform empty shops into something useful such as a meeting place, a learning centre or a even a showroom for local artists. A list of town centres and grants is available online

The grants are part of a wider package of real help the Government has put in place for town centres, including a new practical guide launched in April to help high streets combat the recession.

Many successful start-up businesses have begun this way. Wayne Hemmingway has recently launched his street Kiosks for aspiring designers. Neal's Yard Remedies, the international cosmetics company, started in a disused warehouse in Covent Garden. Many councils are taking their own action too, for example Camden working with its Business Improvement District (BID) have opened up temporary 'pop-up' shops.

John Denham said: 'We know that the downturn has really hurt high streets in areas of high deprivation across England. These grants will help to transform and re-open empty shops as part of our real help to keep town centres vibrant and combat the recession.'

The guide sets out how councils can encourage activities like traditional retail and farmers markets, local festivals or other entertainments that can bring added attractions to communities and high streets during the downturn. The Government has already changed the planning rules to make it easier to use vacant shops for a range of other purposes.

Other measures include the promotion of special temporary community leases called 'meanwhile uses' that allow local groups to temporarily use a vacant property rent free while the landlord seeks a permanent new business. This means the landlord reduces his property bills costs and that the building is maintained.

With these meanwhile leases, young people could run their own safe space for learning and leisure; local indoor markets could be set up and local artists could help to turn eyesores into local attractions.

In addition to the grants, Arts Council England is also announcing an extra £500,000 to help artists turn vacant high street shops into attractive and vibrant places.