EMPTY shops in Eastbourne town centre are being given a facelift by a local entrepreneur.
Brian Sapherson, who runs Window-Ad Plus, is working to cover the windows and fascias in vinyl sheeting in a bid to tidy up the town centre.
Brian will sell adverts within the windows, but his plan has been welcomed by the council and the town’s MP Stephen Lloyd who are keen to smarten up Eastbourne’s shopping heart.
Brian has been in contact with the council, Arndale Centre management and freeholders of vacant shops.
The first premises to receive the makeover was the empty shop near McDonalds which used to be home to Powerplay.
Brian said, “It helps to utilise empty shop fronts and in turn helps clean up our town centre and surrounding areas.
“It gives freeholders and landlords a regular income generated from the advertising along with improving the desirability of their empty units with the complete professional formation of their shop front.
“A call to action notice can be provided to show the advertising is on a short term basis and that their shop is still fully available to let. This can be placed in a suitable position along with their designated commercial agents to let board.”
The parade of empty and burnt out shops opposite Eastbourne Railway Station is on Brian’s to do list.
He hopes to cover all the shops in that parade and give the Little Chelsea businesses the chance to advertise.
He explained he was still trying to sort things out with the commercial agents and contact the freeholders about the possibilities.
Brian added, “The shops opposite the station is something I am really pushing for.”
The Window-Ad Plus business and its potential benefits on the town has been welcomed by many.
Eastbourne MP Stephen Lloyd said, “I’m absolutely delighted to see the empty shop windows being used productively.
“I have been pushing for something like this for years and it is great that the entrepreneurial new company Window-Ad Plus is aiming to really push this both locally and nationally.
“It is such a good use of vacant shop window space.”
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