Epoc Update

Seems our blogs have become a bit like buses… You wait ages and then two come along at once!

Well without wishing to sound like that irritating announcement on the underground, we are pleased to say that a good service is operating here at Epoc, it’s just that we’ve been ultra busy of late.

Up to our eyes designing a private members club at the moment. 12,000 square feet of everything a child could ever dream of. From a simulated golf range to a music studio; swimming pool and technology lab…. Somewhere to cook and somewhere to chill, a real state of the art complex that in total comprises some 12 different play and leisure areas.

In addition, we have recently completed the business strategy, graphic and environmental identity for a health and leisure complex as well as developing a design concept and brand strategy for a new ice cream operation.

With our major retail clients embarking on a roll-out of store upgrades, Delroy has been clocking up the miles on the road, from Falkirk to Clacton-on-Sea and St Helens to Gloucester, so guess it’s just as well he hasn’t had to rely on those buses!

Empty shops become art galleries

This is a brilliant scheme that provides a “win-win” situation for both Landlords and Artists, as well as being a great way to introduce life back into some of our bleak and often deserted high streets.

Firstly from a Landlords perspective it enables them to bring what would otherwise be a dead unit back into use. The premises will benefit from being occupied thereby mitigating repairing liabilities. In areas of particularly high vacancy rates it distinguishes their property from other vacant units increasing visibility through stimulating window displays and encouraging potential occupiers into the property. Furthermore, if managed through a registered Charity the Landlord is able to alleviate their business rates liability.

From the artist’s point of view, these properties provide a great opportunity to show and promote their work to a wider audience, without the usual and often excessive costs and constraints associated with commercial art galleries. These schemes also allow artists to come together, so stimulating ideas to create exciting and innovative collections of work.

Finally, anything that helps to improve and promote the local high street environment should definitely be encouraged. Hopefully blogs like this will spread the word and increase awareness of such projects. The concept would no doubt benefit from the support of organisations such as the Association of Town Centre Managers who actively work with both private and public sector stakeholders are well placed to promote this initiative.

So, given all the potential benefits of this scheme it is my hope that that more property owners will set aside any pre-conceived misgivings and look to support this scheme.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13842044