Saving the landlord from business rates

• Multiple units in simultaneous occupation
• Arts organisation as managing agent
• Saving landlords from business rates

The Spacemakers Agency have developed from a series of meetings amongst artists, first forming the Spacemakers Network to explore new ways of using space particularly around the idea of a ‘third place’ between work and home.

A small group of associates from the network have formed the separate trading company The Spacemakers Agency, and this has effectively become the managing agent for three months for twenty properties at Brixton Village.

Originally called the Granville Arcade, this 1930s covered market is home to around 100 very small retail units. Although recently listed as part of Brixton Market, the arcade is in poor condition, with most units looking dated, shopfittings of poor quality, and the public spaces in a tired state. The site has been the subject of a recent planning application for demolition and redevelopment which met with fierce local opposition, and the future of this redevelopment now the building is listed is unclear.

In the meanwhile, owners LAP have employed the Spacemakers Agency, initially for a total sum of around £14,000, to manage twenty empty units and bring a range of arts, creative industries, retail and catering users to these units in a three month project. These are being offered rent-free for the first three months, with occupiers taking responsibility for any necessary refurbishment, as well as paying rates and utlities.

It is hoped that this will bring additional footfall into Brixton Village, and help establish new businesses alongside the existing traders, who are mostly serving distinct ethnic groups with food, fashion or household retail.

In addition, it relieves the landlord of the burden of business rates on empty properties and ensures the units will be partly refurbished, decorated and maintained in the short term.