The Government is set to cut red tape; making it easier for businesses to open so-called “pop-up shops”.
Planning rules are to be relaxed to make it easier for temporary retailers to take on empty properties.
The new proposals will allow landlords to change an empty shop’s use for up to two years before having to secure planning permission.
It is reported that more than 11% of shops on the British high streets are empty.
Although many agree that this is good news, critics argue that business rates can be a far bigger hurdle for businesses than planning and have called for the increases to be reversed.
We think that the removal of the red tape is a step in the right direction. However, the proposals need to go further to truly encourage the revitalisation on Britain’s high streets.