Monday 28 September 2009

National Empty Shops Conference

Unfortunately we are unable to attend this conference as it is 7 hours away and we are working but it sounds really interesting....
THE NATIONAL EMPTY SHOPS CONFERENCE 

This will be a practical one-day event, where we'll

- find out what works and what doesn't, looking at projects across the UK
- look at what funding is available (we have a funding expert booked 
for the day)
- have lots of chance to network and share ideas, inspiration and advice

I'll be talking about the history of the empty shops movement, and 
looking at the current situation, using Coventry and their council's 
work to develop a Void Space Strategy as an example. I'll talk about why 
local councils should be supporting the sector, and the real benefits it 
can deliver to people who live, work and invest in our towns.

We'll also hear from the London-based Space Makers who are looking at 
co-working spaces, hack labs, arts spaces, social centres, community 
cafes and similar uses of space - and national group Action for Market 
Towns about how empty shops have a big effect on smaller towns

The Empty Shops Conference is on Monday 19th October, at the Richmond 
Rooms, Stoke Abbot Road, Worthing. The event runs from 11am-4pm, and 
includes a light lunch and lots of time to network.

Places are limited, so advance booking is essential. It's £10 for arts 
and community groups and individuals, and £20 for larger organisations 
and local authorities.

Email - dan@artistsandmakers.com - or call on 01903 526268 to reserve 
your place.

Tuesday 1 September 2009

Window of Opportunity

York Museums Trust, Supported by Visit York, are piloting an innovative digital design programme to address the visual impact of empty shops in york city centre:

http://www.woo2009.org.uk/home.html

Once again thanks to William Davidson for this link.

Artquest: How to set up an artist led space

Many thanks to Katie Gill for the following link:

http://www.artquest.org.uk/showing-and-selling/setting-up-an-artist-led-space/empty-shops.htm

The link contains a wealth of great resources, tips and contacts to help with negotiating the use of empty shop units.