Reminder for the Empty Shops workshop April 30th

Got a nice reminder from the folk organising the Empty Shops Initiative event in Margate (30^th April 2010 from 12.30 on Margate's Harbour Arm www.margateharbourarm.co.uk).

"Dan Thompson and every one at We Make Margate are welcoming people to come and find out more about how to use any empty space to revitalise a community.

The event is very informal, so no one will miss anything. There will be a display of photos of many shops both empty and revitalised and a great opportunity to find out about www.bookleteer.com which is a great way of community publishing. Bring some of your pictures of empty shops and you can have a try on the day.

The History walk from Margate Train station which starts at 10.30am. Look out for Kate with a name badge on! If you have not yet confirmed your place for the walk please do so by return of email to margate@tesco.net Don’t forget your camera as there will be lots of great photo opportunities and to help you local photographer Kim Conway http://www.kimconwayphotography.daportfolio.com/gallery/66921#4 will be joining you on the walk."

Empty Shops Workshop and Tracey's Lights

The 30th of April will be busy down at the Margate Harbour Arm. It's the day of the Empty Shops workshop and seminar with Dan Thompson from the national Empty Shops and Spaces Initiative. In the evening it is the switching on of Tracey Emin's neon on the Droit House. Nice innovative uses for our historic buildings in Margate.

The workshop runs from 12 noon until 5.30pm.

More info:
http://www.margateharbourarm.co.uk/
http://wemakemargate.blogspot.com/
http://www.turnercontemporary.org/whatson/?p=192
http://www.emininternational.com/

We Make Margate Blog

Margate's stitchers, makers and doers are organising a workshop on Empty Shops and general 'let's do stuff' stuff. Check: http://wemakemargate.blogspot.com/

Munro Cobb Building

Part of TDC's Window of Opportunity project that organises colourful shop window displays and hoardings has moved to Cliftonville. Here is the artist Dan Bass and the 140ft work at the old Munro Cobb building on Northdown Road.

Spacemakers - community use of empty shops in Brixton

I've found the organisation that have set up uses for empty shops in Brixton. They're called Spacemakers. It looks like they are working in other areas too. Not had time yet to go through the site, but thought I would post straight away.

Time is ticking on. The Turner is opening in spring 2011 and we're still struggling with empty shops and a lack of affordable studio space and retail for creative projects. These guys seem to have found a way round the old problem of rates payable as soon as a property is used, which makes it difficult to attract people to rent them out in areas where there might be low foot fall and also low sales.