Meanwhile in Worthing the revolution rolls on….

I took the now familiar trip to Worthing on Monday, not just to see Dan Thompson from the Revolutionary Arts Group (RAG), but 100 or so of his friends and colleagues who share his impatience with empty shops and the enthusiasm and drive to do something about it.

The first national Empty Shops Conference was sponsored by the Council, who has long been supporting Dan and co to animate empty shops and spaces in the town.

A small act on behalf of the Council maybe, but it betrays some sharp thinking in those civic offices.

While nowhere wants to play host to voids on the high street, not many places have supported groups like RAG, or rather let them get on with it, to the benefit of the town and all those that use and interact with it. Revolutionary thinking maybe?

Working on the Meanwhile Project over the past few months has generated a list of the common barriers to using empty shops for temporary community use and social enterprise.

Landlord engagement, leases and rates all present headaches. Working directly with temporary – or meanwhile – projects we have found mechanisms to make the process of identifying an empty shop, coming up with a good workable idea and making it happen much easier.

However, the rapid learning curve over the summer has demonstrated the one key part of the mix that makes Meanwhile projects happen (as by their very nature they need to start yesterday) is strong, visionary leadership.

Someone needs to sell the concept to the Council, convince the landlord of the business case and the straightforward financial benefits of a meanwhile occupant, co-ordinate resources, transform the space, run it, then put it back in good condition in a matter of weeks. 

Colleagues with a few more ‘regeneration miles’ on the clock than I will tell you it has always been thus.

However, in an era where endless boards, committees and steering groups lurk around the corner full of good intentions and nonsense, to witness the catalytic effect of charismatic leadership is quite a revelation. It must be how revolutions get started.

Which brings us full circle back to Dan and his friends and colleagues that came to Worthing.

A few more people willing not to take no for an answer, convert empty shops from wasted resource to an opportunity for community projects and social enterprise will certainly help animate our high streets and provide opportunities for those that would not otherwise have such a thing. It is being demonstrated too that by doing Meanwhile, you can generate social enterprise and change the way people interact and use the high street.

And one final plug, the Meanwhile Project will release its first Meanwhile Manual, the Empty Shops Workbook, authored by Dan Thompson on November 1st. It’s a straightforward guide on how to get started with an empty shop project, check out www.meanwhile.org.uk and post any questions in the interim up on www.meanwhilespace.ning.com