Strengthening retail and diversifying centres
Temporary uses such as pop-up shops or leisure activities can help bring life into centres and support new businesses with testing the local market.
Permitted development rights help new businesses and pop-ups. These rights allow offices, shops, financial and professional services, restaurants and cafes, hot food takeaways, assembly and leisure venues to change to another type of place temporarily.
The new use can be another type of place like an office, shop, financial and professional service, or restaurant.
This change can last for a single continuous period of up to 3 years.
This allows start-ups to test a new business model, and then to seek planning permission for the permanent change of use on that or another site.
The same right allows for the temporary change of use to specified community uses (health centre, art gallery, museum, public library, public hall or exhibition hall) to provide a greater mix of uses on the high street. This should increase footfall and bring community uses closer to communities.
It is important to check if planning permission is required before making improvements or changes to a property.
The Meanwhile Foundation is a charity that supports greater participation in meanwhile/temporary use through sharing best practice and providing practical advice to people and organisations that own or want to see vacant property brought into use.
Further information and case studies can be found on the .