Entrepreneurial start-ups, business leaders and residents are pledging to work together to put the 350 empty retail units in Hammersmith & Fulham to good use.
The council is turning to residents to help establish just how many privately-owned premises are languishing empty in a bid to revitalise the town centre with pop-ups and long-term retail occupation.
Cllr Ben Coleman, H&F Council’s Local Business Champion, said that the council was determined to help those looking for space.
“With so many local entrepreneurs looking for pop-ups or long-term premises, the question is how best the council can help,” he said.
“One thing we will look at will be how to tackle the problem of landlords keeping shops empty while budding retailers need cheap, start-up premises.”
Founder of retail business incubator Petit Miracles, Elisicia Moore, explained that her company offers entrepreneurs affordable retail space in the West12 shopping ventre including meeting rooms, wifi, marketing support and expert advice.
She said: “It’s the only model of its kind – no one else combines business incubation with access to the retail market like this.”
Fifteen spaces have been earmarked for start-ups, with weekly rents as low as £100.
To keep in touch with developments, you can sign up to the council’s quarterly Business Connects e-newsletter by emailing [email protected].
If you see an empty commercial premise you can help by reporting the address to [email protected]
Image courtesy of Google Maps, with thanks
