Why UK High Streets Have Empty Shops — And How Occupii Can Revive Them
Why UK High Streets Have Empty Shops — And How Occupii Can Revive Them
Across the UK, once-vibrant high streets are facing a crisis of empty shops and shuttered spaces. As retail habits evolve and commercial landlords search for new income streams, short-term rentals are offering a practical, flexible solution.
At Occupii, we believe these spaces have untapped potential — here’s what’s happening on the high street and how flexible rentals can help turn things around.
📉 The Current Reality of Empty Shops in the UK
According to recent industry data:
Over 172,000 retail spaces in the UK are currently sitting empty.
More than 80% of these are vacant long-term, meaning they haven’t had tenants in over six months (The Guardian, 2024).
High streets in towns and smaller cities have been particularly hard hit as footfall shifts online and consumer habits change.
Some councils are now preparing to auction vacant spaces to new tenants if landlords leave them empty too long.
These empty spaces create a negative ripple effect for communities:
✔️ Reduced foot traffic
✔️ Lower revenue for surrounding businesses
✔️ Decline in town centre vibrancy
🔑 What’s Causing the Vacancy Crisis?
Several factors contribute to the problem:
Shift to online shopping & digital-first retail brands
Post-pandemic hybrid working patterns reducing weekday footfall
High business rates and rental costs discouraging long-term leases
Landlords reluctant to lower asking prices or adapt to new usage models
🚀 How Occupii Helps Property Owners Monetise Empty Spaces
Instead of waiting for a long-term lease that may never come, Occupii enables landlords to:
List vacant shops for short-term rentals, from a single day to several weeks.
Attract a wide range of users:
Pop-up retail stores
Product launches & brand activations
Seasonal holiday shops
Community workshops & art exhibitions
Set flexible pricing and availability to suit your goals.
Earn income and put your space back to use, improving the local high street.
💡 The Benefits of Short-Term Rentals for High Streets
✔️ Keeps spaces in use, deterring vandalism and decay
✔️ Brings fresh activity and foot traffic back to the high street
✔️ Provides affordable access for small businesses, artists, and start-ups
✔️ Generates passive income for landlords — without long-term risk
🏪 Examples of Spaces That Work Well for Short-Term Rental
Vacant retail shops on busy streets
Empty units in shopping arcades
Closed cafes, hairdressers, or showrooms
Unused kiosks and market stalls
✅ Get Started with Occupii in Minutes
Listing your space on Occupii is simple:
Create a free account
Upload photos and descriptions of your space
Set your price and availability
Start receiving booking requests
Turn your empty property into a community asset — and an income stream.
🔍 Final Thoughts: Reviving the High Street, One Booking at a Time
UK high streets may be changing, but they’re far from finished. With flexible rental platforms like occupii, landlords and small businesses can work together to create vibrant, evolving high streets that reflect the way we work and shop today.
