Dan. FYI, i have run a very successful 'local' business now for almost 19 years, and on start-up, it was scary thing to do, not knowing how things would turn out and therefore negotiated on the lease and the terms contained therein.......In other words, no long term commitment (like 12 years) until i got established........My leases have always been on 2 year contracts, with rent increases negotiable.But that was 19 years ago.........In this current climate, it takes a very brave person to take on such a commitment...Hence why so many empty shops....and therefore what i am saying is that unless there is more flexibility in 'renting', these shops will continue to stay empty..........It's a different kettle of fish nowadays setting up on your own........the financing, set-up costs, running costs....in an unstable market.........you get the drift........Dan, do you have the statistics for the success/failure ratio on new businesses started in the past 5 years ?...or the number of bankruptcies/voluntary bankruptcies (sp)...not good figures i believe.........i think they will speak for themselvesEven 19 years ago i would never have taken on a 12 year lease...there is always uncertainty ( i was lucky )......i would rather have been 'out on my ear' and found new premises............than to fail and be stuck with a lease i would be responsible for eons.But, as i said in my earlier post.......it was IMO......didn't expect anyone to agree with it............Coffee break over......back to the grindstone..........:)
Ellie Rose ● 6332d