AN innovative project to reinvigorate the town centre and help local entrepreneurs will be discussed by Swindon Council tomorrow.

The full council will discuss a proposal to investigate how the council can support the creation of PopUp Shops as part of a strategy to breathe new life into the high street and tackle increasing shop vacancy rates.

PopUp Shops are the product of an initiative, PopUp Britain, developed on the back of StartUp Britain, which is a national campaign by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, harnessing the expertise and passion of Britain’s leading business people to celebrate, inspire and accelerate enterprise in the UK.

As part of the scheme, landlords of empty retail units, including councils, are encouraged to lease them to local entrepreneurs and business start-ups as reduced rates. The campaign has successfully established PopUp stores in Richmond, Surrey, among other places.

Councillor Mark Dempsey, the deputy Labour group leader, who is proposing the motion, said residents could notice the increase in vacant units on Regent Street and Fleet Street, and some areas were becoming a ghost town.

He said: “We have led the way calling for a clear regeneration plan, campaigning for town centre markets bring life and atmosphere to the high street, “And we are want to open up vacant shops units so that small businesses, entrepreneurs and the community help breathe new life into Swindon Town Centre, and to tackle increasing shop vacancy rates “PopUp Shops are one way we can breathe new life into the town centre and support small businesses.

“PopUp Shops bring empty shops back to life and get new businesses going, and unleash our young retail entrepreneurs on to our high street.

“This has been trialed in other parts of the UK where it has created vibrant new units, brought new people into town and helped create new start up enterprises.”