Plan to fill empty shops in Brighton and Hove

The situation looked bleak. In the space of just a few short months, the large Topshop, New Look, Debenhams and Argos stores had confirmed their permanent closure. Elsewhere, the fate of shops such as Jaeger and Peacocks, among others, looked uncertain.

During the coronavirus crisis, a series of lockdowns have seen the majority of shops forced to close for months at a time, contributing to an incredibly challenging retail environment.

So, with the increasing number of empty lots in the city becoming more and more noticeable, an ambitious new scheme is now aiming to fill some of the gaps left in Brighton's main streets.

The temporary project hopes to use empty city centre sites to offer short-term pop-up shop opportunities to business owners who are looking to run their own store, restaurant, cafe or deli, but do not want a long-term commitment.

The scheme is being launched by Brighton and Hove City Council and Brilliant Brighton, a not-for-profit organisation consisting of 517 retail, leisure and hospitality businesses within the city centre.

• READ MORE: 'Gaping hole' left in high street after string of major stores shut permanently

The organisation's media officer Shelley Welti said: "While Brighton’s vacancy rate is less than the national average, we are noticing vacant premises’ numbers throughout the city centre slowly increasing.

"We’re pleased to have partnered with Brighton and Hove City Council to utilise empty units - with either short-term pop-up shops or by making them more attractive with artwork installations by local artists.

"We’d love to hear from landlords, businesses and artists who’d like to be involved with the project.

There are a large number of empty and closed down shops in Brighton and Hove following a difficult year for businesses during the coronavirus pandemic

"We've had a fantastic response already from businesses wanting to get involved with the project and who are excited about the prospect of opening up a pop-up shop within Brighton city centre, over the coming months, as restrictions ease.

"We welcome other businesses to submit their interest by filling in the form listed on www.brightonpopupshops.co.uk/pop-up-shops."

But it is not just businesses who will be given the opportunity to show-off their products and skills within this scheme.

• READ MORE: Shops lie empty as coronavirus crisis makes for 'incredibly difficult year'

The project also hopes to enlist the help of Brighton and Hove artists to dress windows and create eye-catching window displays in empty properties.

The council say this, in turn, would "improve the appearance of unused units, reduce the risk of antisocial behaviour, brighten up the city, and showcase the thriving creative scene".

Commissions of £500 will be granted for up to five artists to create art displays in five empty properties across the city centre.

There are a large number of empty and closed down shops in Brighton and Hove following a difficult year for businesses during the coronavirus pandemic

Several empty council-owned properties in key shopping districts will also be offered to art organisations to use on a cost-only basis, for a minimum six-month term.

Councillor Martin Osborne, co-chairman of Brighton and Hove’s tourism, equalities, communities and culture committee, said: “We’re pleased to have the opportunity to offer creative people in the city new spaces to showcase their work and try out new business ideas.

• READ MORE: This is how Covid could change the face of the high street in Brighton

"Brighton and Hove is known for its innovation and talent and this project will not only provide new uses for empty buildings, it will help people struggling to find a platform during the pandemic and revive city centre shopping areas ready to welcome the safe return of visitors."