Empty outlets plan to be unveiled

Empty commercial property space could be used in a range of different ways under new plans set to be unveiled by communities secretary Hazel Blears.

The government minister is set to announce at a seminar that shops without tenants could be used as art galleries or advice centres under proposals to improve conditions on the UK's high streets.

In a speech to business leaders and town centre managers, she will explain that such areas can be "the heartbeat of every community".

"Our ideas for reviving town centres will give communities the know how to temporarily transform vacant premises into something innovative for the community - a social enterprise, a showroom for local artists or an information centre - and stop the high street being boarded up," she will add.

Peter Cosmetatos, director of finance and investment at the British Property Federation, recently claimed that empty property tax rates have "crippled" businesses.