February 2019
Featured in this insight: Charity & not-for-profit, Consumer goods & FMCG , Financial services, Local & regional government, Retail
Majority supports empty shops being taken over by charities or community groups: In a bid to keep British high streets vibrant, a survey has revealed that 7 in 10 favour handing over empty retail units to community groups or charities, until the premises is taken over on a permanent basis.
Charity pop-ups have transformed otherwise empty or run-down plots of land or buildings say CAF such as Pop Brixton, – a partnership between the community and Lambeth Council.
The current landscape
As it stands, one in ten shops on the British high street is currently vacant (*British Retail Consortium) - the numbers even greater in Scotland with one in eight empty.
The survey of 1,176 adults found 78% of those polled wanted to see empty shops on the high street filled as soon as possible, with 87% of those aged 65+ saying the same.
A ‘valuable service’
Looking at how charity shops are viewed in the UK, the poll found that more than 6 in 10 (62%) respondents said they provide a ‘valuable service’, rising to 66% of women polled.
It also found that charity shops were frequented regularly by 37% of respondents.
Susan Pinkney, head of research at CAF, said: "It’s amazing to see that more than 20 million British people regularly pop to a charity shop, and clearly there is an appetite to see empty shops used in a way that supports the local community.
"Everyone wants to see our high streets thrive, and charity and community shops can be a great way to offer a valuable service while keeping our town centres bustling with activity."
View more of our sector specific insights: Charity & not-for-profit, Consumer goods & FMCG, Financial services, Local & regional government, Retail
