Keep Brighton Shopping!
29 November 2011 By Administrator
Commercial property experts, Graves Jenkins, have started a new initiative to help keep the retail profile of the City, at the forefront of shoppers thoughts.
Brighton and Hove, like most major towns and cities in the UK, have come under pressure with the lack of spending power and the threat of internet shopping. Places like Leeds and Manchester have some of the highest empty shop rates in the country. Brighton and Hove has seen an increase, but it seems at the moment to be standing up against the recession pretty well.
Under the new initiative, Graves Jenkins want to ‘keep Brighton shopping.’
Director, Phil Graves explains the idea.
“I have attended a number of Council consultation and local business association meetings over the last few months and naturally there seems to be a concern over the increasing empty shop rates. No one benefits from empty boarded up shops and once you see a decline in a certain area, it can soon effect everyone. There is no doubt that retailing has become a challenge for many, but I feel that the businesses in the City have a responsibility to each other to protect the retail profile which is so important. That is the reason why we have set up this initiative to play our part.”
Graves Jenkins have offered to act for shop owners to find a new occupier for a flat fee of £1500 and to involve themselves in the initial consultation for free. Normally, a commercial agent would act on the basis of a 10% fee, so if the rent was £30,000 per annum then the fee would be £3000 - obviously more if the rent was higher. This represents a substantial reduction, aimed at reducing empty shop rates.
Tony Mernagh of the Economic Partnership, who are also involved in the consultation process, commented, “It is certainly true there is no need to have empty properties in a vibrant city like Brighton & Hove if a prospective tenant and a willing landlord can be brought to the negotiating table. This idea certainly extends that invitation to property owners with an offer that I hope they can’t refuse”
Phil Graves added, “We receive a continual demand for shop premises and if anything, hold a shortage of availability. Areas such as Preston Street, London Road and Lewes Road have been highlighted as areas of concern, yet we have managed to let premises in all three of those locations recently. With the right professional advice, new occupants can be found for most trading locations.”
The offer is available up until 31st March which covers what is traditionally the toughest trading period of the year. The agents have challenged existing shopkeepers, trading associations, landlords and the local authority to get involved. Contact Graves Jenkins 01273 701070 or graves@gravesjenkins.com, to commit your help to the cause.