Bristol City Council to introduce 'No Use Empty' campaign
Bristol City Council has announced that it will be launching a new campaign, titled “No Use Empty”, in an attempt to bring empty homes back into use.
The decision to launch the campaign follows a successful scheme initiated by Kent County Council in 2005, which saw it bring 1,266 homes back into use.
The scheme has been so successful in Kent that a number of other councils have formally adopted the same branding and services; Bristol City Council is the latest of these authorities to announce its own version of the franchise.
“We haven't formally agreed how the brand will be used - that's for future discussion,” explained a Council spokesperson.
“We only have short-term plan which includes revamping the BCC website content with more and more accessible information and producing leaflets for distribution via outlets such as estate agents, solicitors.”
He also stated that the Council is looking to do a number of directly targeted activities at owners, which include updating the current newsletter that goes to home owners, but admitted that little had been planned beyond the next few months.
Bristol City Council will be developing the campaign with strategic communications agency, Financial Dynamics Ltd, the company which worked on Kent County Council’s original initiative.
“This partnership with Kent’s well-established and successful campaign will enable us to make use of their skills and resources at a saving to local taxpayers,” said councillor Anthoy Negus, cabinet member for strategic housing and regeneration.
“It will highlight the benefits of bringing an empty home back into use and will provide simple, clear information to homeowners through a ‘one-stop shop'.
“The message is that there is plenty of help available for people who want to bring an empty property back into use but don’t know how to go about it.
He points to the Council’s recent compulsory purchase of the notorious 141 Cheltenham Road, as an example of how the authority will act if property owners refuse to cooperate.
The No Use Empty campaign was launched by Kent County Council in 2005 and has employed the use of newsletters, workshops and events, as well as launching its own website featuring videos and case studies. The campaign received television and news coverage and 2010/11 has been its most successful year to-date.