As an increasing number of consumers shop online and the high street crisis worsens, thousands of UK shops are being left empty. The once great British high street is now a sorry state, with closures of banks, pubs, salons, cafes and fashion outlets at their highest level. According to the latest research, over 7,500 shops became empty last year. Larger retail spaces, such as shopping centres and department stores, are also being hit hard.
It was recently reported by the BBC that more than 200 UK shopping centres were on the brink of closure. But there is hope on the horizon as the number of unused spaces surges…
In an age where recycling is king, savvy entrepreneurs are turning their attention to the empty units littering our streets. Retail spaces are being repurposed to become useful once more within local communities. Here, we take a closer look at the alternative uses for empty retail space.
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Add the fun factor
UK shoppers may be using the internet to shop for everything they need – a fact that makes physical brick-and-mortar stores less appealing – but they’re more social than ever. Converting an unloved retail unit into a facility made for socialisation and fun is, therefore, a great way to go. Selected units can make great bars, eateries, activity centres (i.e. mini golf, climbing walls, trampoline parks and soft play areas), salons or barbers, and vehicle showrooms.
By breathing new life into old spaces with these enterprises, people have a new reason to visit a high street or shopping centre and can even make a day of it. Adding the fun factor will also give a vital boost to surrounding retailers who are yet to close their doors.
Support Internet shopping, as the saying goes, “If you can’t beat them, join them”, and this sentiment is shared by the developers repurposing empty retail spaces into logistics centres. With the rise of online shopping comes an increased need for delivery hubs. The biggest and smallest online retailers need them, particularly logistics space that is well-located and storage-rich.
It’s not just companies selling goods that need storage; individuals need space to store their belongings, too. Self-storage units are particularly popular, and as most empty retail units and larger shopping centres are in high-traffic locations, they make perfect self-storage facilities with the right conversion.
Tackle the housing crisis
Crack one crisis by solving another and convert unused retail space into a valuable residential asset. England has a notorious under-supply of housing. The government and existing developers are struggling to keep up with demand as life expectancy rates continue to rise and the number of one-person households increases.
Retail units can be lovingly converted into homes, which will have a positive impact on the wider area. A larger population for instance supports retail sales and demand.
Give the business a boost
Businesses servicing all sectors need space to grow. Repurposing retail units into office space provides an opportunity to support the growth and success of companies big and small and boost the local jobs market. Shopping centres, in particular, make great co-working spaces thanks to their excellent locations, nearby retail and leisure amenities, and public transport, road links, and rail connections.
Thinking outside the box with big-box store infrastructure, such as empty retail units, department stores, and shopping centres, is the key to saving our high streets. Commercial premises like these deserve a fresh start.
Final Words
As the retail landscape continues to evolve amidst closures and shifting consumer behaviours, the surge in unused retail spaces presents a unique opportunity for transformation. The potential to revitalise our communities is immense, from vibrant social hubs and essential logistics centres to much-needed residential conversions and dynamic office spaces.
Explore how repurposing these spaces brings new life into our high streets and shopping centres. Ready to reimagine the future of retail? Browse our range of commercial properties for sale today and hail the next-generation high street.
