Hi Jess,
To be honest there has been very little progression since the meeting. I'm unable to progress without funding, and funding opportunities for such things seem to have shifted focus elsewhere. I've approached an alternate funding organisation, but unfortunately they lost my application, meaning another 6 weeks until I find out if that's successful.

In summary, it feels like the project will end up dragging its heels until the Meanwhile lease is in full operation anyway, thus negating my summer plans to get it off the ground.

I'll email you the business proposal. That lays out the plans and the required funds. In summary, I've estimated about £2000 to refurbish / fit electrics and lighting, and another £2000 to kit it out appropriately to a self sufficient project.

will see what I can do......

BTW: just for info. I do not know if this is the case in many Council policy documents, but I notice that Kensington & Chelsea's Community Strategy (2008-18) in secn 2 on Culture Arts and Leisure, Aim 2 (v), as part of develping excellence in artistic practice, explicitly states (p25) "encouraging innovative approaches to temporary use of vacant premises or spaces which may suit a wide range of art forms such as visual arts theatre, dance or designer-makers"
http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/KCPartnership/general/community_strategy2008-18.pdf

Helen

No I am not in Guatemala - it was just a joke, but I want to go there and sometimes wish I was there so I thought I could use the virtual ning world to pretend I was...

As for the gooseberries I grew them and as far as I know there is no rule that says I have to use a mug shot!!



I joined though because I have a shop front which for some 15 years has been a changing art installation. It attracts quite a lot of good vibes and even gets fan mail and Xmas cards so I am interested to see what other people come up with. Jon and I only do our displays to provide visual interest (and I would argue safety as it is lit and it not roller shuttered) for pedestrians. We keep it anonymous otherwise I know from the post and door knocking we get that artists would want to use it to display their work and it is an anti-consumerist statement (ie you can look and enjoy but you cannot buy). I know, I am just an old hippy..

Lorraine

Here's something I just came across from Herne Hill in S London. Know about it?
http://www.liveattheapollo.org/?page_id=4

Looks like it's just ended....but active through June 09

Hi Jess. We're negotiating with the owner of an empty shop unit in Ladywell to see if he'll let us use it for 9 months initially and we've offered him 6 months rent upfront which we're pulling together from the community. He was saying he'd like to sell but the curernt climate isn't good and he can always sell it afterwards so he can't really lose. If we're successful we'll need funds to refurbish the shop and some help with the short lease or licence. I'm in touch with Eddie and have asked if anyone from 'meanwhile' could come and see the building/talk to our group
By the ay Lewisham Council have been pretty useless on this so I'd be interested to hear of a Council acting proactively on meanwhile that I could point them to...
Tony

Plenty of shops but not sure whether empty - I will peruse over w/e whilst sorting my attic out...... I haven't had a chance yet to explore this site so still not sure what its about???

Just had a look at other comments on this - there are 'pop-up' shops in Camden that have just materialised in vacant properties - funded by local business community and council I believe

I'm one of the local councillors for Ladywell, where Tony (below) and others are keen to get a meanwhile use for one of the empty shops. Dilemma is that in one case the shop is in a very bad, pigeon-infested condition and would need quite a cash-injection to bring it back into use.

I think Tony is already working on that, but I'll check with him . ..