Finding space for creativity in Brighton and Hove

Not everyone is in a panic about the recession.

As shops close and office buildings stand empty, there is growing concern parts of Sussex could become ghost towns.

But Matt Weston believes the increasing amount of available space created by the economic downturn is actually a golden opportunity.

He is certain that, in Brighton especially, there are always community groups, arts collectives and small traders looking for somewhere to set up.

If these people can find a place inside already boarded-up property – “slack space”

as it is sometimes known – then neighbourhoods could be saved from becoming rundown and the vicious circle of deprivation avoided.

Mr Weston, along with Charlie Davies, a former features editor for The Face fashion magazine, has formed Slack Space Brighton to identify suitable locations and help artistic groups and creative businesses move in.

They set up a Facebook group to gauge interest in the project and it quickly attracted more than 80 members.

Mr Weston, a project designer and entrepreneur who helps start-up businesses, said: “I have always been interested in making Brighton more conducive for people wishing to start up anything, whether that is a business, project or campaign.

“I am almost bleakly optimistic about the recession as there seems to be lots of empty space and that for me is potential.”

Ten members of the movement recently toured Brighton and Hove photographing all the empty commercial property they could find.

They have posted the results on Flickr.com and will be holding a meeting to discuss potential uses.

One of Mr Weston’s ideas is a UK version of Y Combinator, a “start up school” developed in Silicon Valley to help fast track new companies from idea to reality in a matter of weeks. Mr Weston added: “Lots of people want to do art installations or start up job centres where people can put up details of the kind of skills they need in order to be introduced to the right person.

“People also want to set up hack schools.

These are not criminal at all but they are a bit geeky. They are for people with IT skills to get together and work on web projects collaboratively.”

One of the problems that has to be overcome is negotiating with landlords over rent and sorting out planning permission.

The Slack Space movement was given a boost in this respect by the Government, which recently announced a £3 million plan to encourage similar projects.

Small grants of up to £1,000 will be on offer to people who find creative reuse for vacant shops, while planning rules will be relaxed to allow changes of use against local guidelines.

Temporary lease agreements will enable property owners who want to retain a vacant building in the long term to make it available for community or creative use during the recession.

“We don’t want it to be like squatting,” said Mr Weston.

Although it is still early days for the movement, Brighton and Hove City Council has already expressed a desire to help make use of empty space in the area.

Economic development officer Andy Glover said he can facilitate meetings between people wishing to fill empty property and landlords and commercial agents.

He said: “At the moment there is no rate relief on commercial space so I think landlords are becoming more supportive. We are working with a couple who have arranged deals for reduced rent because they want to get people in the building.

“There is always a need for the creative industries, especially at the bottom end, because they cannot afford to pay full market rate for property.

“We can help people go through the planning process because sometimes a change of use is required. We will not go against planning policy but we can address issues and iron out any problems to steer them in the right direction so any application can considered on its merits.”

For more information on Slack Space Brighton, visit www.facebook.com/group.

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