News

Schofield Sweeney Solicitors has agreed a 'meanwhile use' arrangement with arts organisation Fabric for the ground floor of Church Bank House in Bradford's Little Germany district. The arrangement, which is part of the law firm's commitment to supporting the arts in Bradford, means that Fabric's headquarters will now operate, on a rent-free basis, from the ground floor of Schofield Sweeney's premises, providing around 8,000 square feet of space. The law firm will continue to occupy the other three floors of the four-storey, modern, glass fronted building. Fabric's new office at Church Bank House will act as a focal point for supporting artists in Bradford, offering training, business advice, mentoring and space for events and networking. It plans to have an official opening event, including an exhibition of local artists' work, in September.

Meanwhile use schemes, which provide rent-free occupation of vacant buildings or land for socially beneficial purposes, were developed as a key aspect of the Government’s Looking After our Town Centres document in April 2009. It is part of the Community and Local Government department’s broader Community Finance proposals. The meanwhile agreement with Schofield Sweeney is believed to be the third in Bradford, all of which have been facilitated by Fabric. Earlier this year, Fabric worked with the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council and developers Westfield to develop a meanwhile use for the site of the planned Westfield Bradford retail development in the centre of Bradford. The Pop Up arts space in Centenary Square also operates as a meanwhile use.

Darren Birkinshaw, Head of the Commercial Property Department at Schofield Sweeney said:

“Meanwhile use makes a great deal of sense for all parties involved. It allows not-for-profit organisations to occupy high quality space on a rent-free arrangement. They take on the payment of business rates for the property but this is reduced by 80% and the remaining 20% is at the local council's discretion. For landlords it offers the twin benefits of keeping the property alive and removes the burden of paying business rates. For the local community it means that the number of empty buildings is reduced, keeping the area vibrant and dynamic. Schofield Sweeney is committed to supporting businesses and the arts in Bradford and so this partnership with Fabric is a perfect fit.”

Gideon Seymour, Director of Fabric said:

“The Little Germany district is an important asset, both culturally and historically, to the city of Bradford. The arts and creative sector inject life into the city centre and we are keen to see more of the buildings in Little Germany occupied and buzzing with life. The support of Schofield Sweeney in providing this superb office rent-free will help to achieve that and we hope that other property owners in the city will follow their lead.”

Last month the Planning Minister Greg Clark confirmed his support for meanwhile use arrangements saying, “Empty properties can drain the life away from town centres and are a waste of a valuable social and economic resource. Removing bureaucratic barriers in the planning system could play a major part in encouraging meanwhile uses of empty buildings, transforming them into new shops, business start-ups and community projects."

To learn more about the Fabric please visit Creative Bradford.

Patricia Lennon on 01943 816292 / 07903 195462

or

Darren Birkinshaw
Partner and Head of Commercial Property Department
DDI: 01274 377653
Mobile: 07771 531296
Email: darrenbirkinshaw@schoeys.com