🏙️ The Changing Face of the High Street
Across the UK, and here in Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan, high streets have undergone significant changes. The shift to online retail, new working habits, and evolving consumer behaviour have left many traditional retail units standing empty.
But this change also brings opportunity. Instead of viewing an empty shop as a liability, forward-thinking landlords and investors are transforming them into income-generating assets by repurposing the space for new, in-demand uses.
With the right strategy, a vacant unit can be transformed into anything from a coworking hub to a boutique café. In many cases, these transformations yield higher returns and more reliable tenants than their original retail purpose.
📈 Why Repurposing Makes Financial Sense
An empty commercial unit incurs costs through business rates, insurance, and lost rent. Repurposing can transform a stagnant property into a steady income stream while also adding long-term value to your portfolio.
Key benefits include:
- 💼 Higher rental yields – New uses often command stronger rents than traditional retail.
- 📊 Reduced void periods – Repurposed spaces appeal to a wider tenant pool.
- 🏗️ Increased property value – Adaptable, multi-use buildings are more desirable to future buyers.
- ♻️ Future-proof investments – Flexible spaces stay relevant even as Market needs evolve.
For landlords in Barry town centre, Holton Road, and surrounding areas, this can mean the difference between an underperforming property and a thriving, income-producing investment.
🛠️ Smart Ways to Repurpose Empty Shops
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but here are some of the most successful strategies being used across South Wales:
🧑💻 1. Flexible Workspaces and Coworking Hubs
With remote and hybrid working now the norm, demand for affordable coworking space is rising, even outside major cities. Converting an empty retail unit into shared offices or flexible workspaces can attract freelancers, small businesses, and remote workers.
- 🪑 Add partitioned offices, meeting rooms, and communal areas.
- 📶 Prioritise fast broadband and good lighting.
- 💡 Market to startups and growing local firms.
Smaller town-centre spaces in Barry are particularly well-suited for local coworking hubs where businesses want convenience without the Cardiff price tag.
☕ 2. Hospitality & Leisure Spaces
The UK’s café and restaurant culture remains strong, and consumers increasingly seek unique, local experiences. Empty shops with good footfall can be transformed into:
- 🍽️ Independent cafés and restaurants
- 🍺 Microbreweries or taprooms
- 🎨 Creative event spaces and galleries
These uses often generate strong tenant demand and attract higher foot traffic to the surrounding area, benefiting other local businesses as well.
🏢 3. Hybrid Retail & Services
Rather than sticking to pure retail, consider mixed-use tenants who combine products and services, a model that’s thriving on high streets across Wales.
Think:
- 🪄 A salon that sells beauty products
- 🚴♂️ A bike repair shop with a small café
- 📚 A bookstore with an attached community workshop space
These businesses are more resilient and often more willing to sign long-term leases, giving landlords stability.
🏘️ 4. Residential or Mixed-Use Conversion
For some properties, especially larger units or upper floors, converting commercial space into residential use can deliver excellent returns.
- 🏠 Upper floors above shops can become apartments or HMOs.
- 🏢 Full conversions can create mixed-use developments with ground-floor retail and residential above.
This route often requires planning permission and investment, but can significantly boost property value and generate dual income streams.
🧑⚖️ Planning & Regulatory Considerations
Before repurposing any commercial unit, landlords and investors should carefully review the planning landscape.
- 📜 Use Class Changes: The UK’s planning system now groups most commercial uses under Class E, making it easier to switch between retail, office, and leisure.
- 🏗️ Change of Use: Residential conversions often require planning permission, building regulation compliance, and possibly Section 106 contributions.
- 🧾 Licensing: Uses like food service or alcohol sales may need additional licences.
Local authorities in Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan are generally supportive of schemes that bring empty units back into use, particularly those that boost footfall and contribute to regeneration.
💡 Case Study: A Shop Reimagined
A vacant unit on Barry’s Holton Road, left empty for over a year, was recently converted into a shared workspace and small business hub. With minimal structural changes and a focus on digital infrastructure, the property was entirely let within two months, generating 30% higher rent than its previous retail tenant and attracting consistent demand. This success story is a testament to the potential of strategic repurposing.
This example shows how strategic repurposing can breathe new life into underused property and deliver more substantial returns.
📊 Tips for a Successful Repurposing Project
- 🧭 Research demand: Understand local demographics and what types of businesses are growing.
- 🛠️ Start small: Begin with light refurbishments and flexible leases to test new uses.
- 🤝 Partner with professionals: Commercial agents and planning consultants can guide the process.
- 💡 Market creatively: Highlight flexibility, location, and footfall in your listings.
Unlock the Potential of Your Property
An empty commercial property doesn’t have to be a liability. With the right vision and strategy, landlords and investors in Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan can transform underutilised spaces into thriving, income-generating assets that support local businesses and enhance portfolio returns.
Whether it’s a coworking hub, boutique café, or residential conversion, the opportunities for repurposing are abundant. It’s just a matter of seeing beyond the “For Let” sign and unlocking the potential of your property.
📞 Turn Empty Units Into Income with REMAX Estate Agents
At REMAX Estate Agents, we help commercial landlords unlock the full potential of their properties. From market insights and feasibility advice to tenant sourcing and lease negotiation, our local experts are here to guide you every step of the way.
👉 Contact REMAX Estate Agents today to explore how we can help repurpose your commercial property and maximise your investment.
