Once any organisation has identified a possible retail unit for use as a "meanwhile space" what is the process of turning that into the venture in mind?
Many units are empty shells, however many more are left with old fixtures and fittings, especially the larger institutions such as banks and building societies with large static displays and counters. We need to consider the most cost effective, quickest and greenest way of transforming these spaces?
I believe we can take a lead from the exhibition industry in terms of creativity and speed of construction (although sadly not from waste management). There are many ideas available to help create interesting and mobile displays from selling cards to coffee. The exhibition and point of sale industry provide everything from pop-up displays to recycle cardboard shelves and dump bins. The great thing about these fixtures is there mobility as they can be moved easily to the next project. There are also great refurbishment products available like 3M di-noc which is a foil product that can wrap large and small fixtures and make them look like new, these come in range of colours/styles and can be applied on site, other innovations include "idea paint" that can be applied to walls as decoration but also acts as a white board and can be drawn or wrote upon time and time again, reducing the need for example of menu or notice boards
With creative thinking and energy "meanwhile spaces" can look professional and inspired and do not have to look like a temporary shop. If one of the ideas of meanwhile is to help rejuvenate town centres and attract people back to shopping, then these spaces should inspire and look as good as possible

Mark Jowsey - ADP-Projects CIC