News

Meanwhile Space hosted a drop-in workshop space throughout the Development Trusts Association annual conference in the Quad, Derby, where delegates contributed to a collective vision for the Future of The High Street.  Statistics claim (CB Richard Ellis) that 25% of the currently vacant shops will never be shops again, so ideas and drawings were invited to help build a mural of what people would like to see going forward on their high street, what could remain of what we have today and how our town centres could adapt to the changing way we use them.

We had the wacky, the inspirational and the wonderful, from petting zoos to wind turbines, and intergenerational activities to libraries, learning spaces and swapshops. Of course, community run spaces featured highly, including credit unions, cafes, parks, buses, food shops, radio, housing and maintenance, but also the importance of current facilities such as post offices, banks, charity shops, cycle lanes and seating. Wider debates were also had around people's desire for chain stores (or clone towns) and whether there should be two high streets, one for the chains, and one for independent shops and community run spaces.

The space was also an opportunity to collect a copy of the No Time To Waste Report and talk about the work the Meanwhile Project, led by the DTA and Meanwhile Space.  If you didn't manage to get your copy, you can download it here.