“Vacancy was and is very high on our priority list,” says Jack van Lieshout, center manager in Oss. In the city of Brabant, a new purpose was found last year for about thirty retail properties. “Vacancy is not good for a city. It gives an unattractive, messy image, especially if the buildings are very large, such as the former V&D building.”
In the ‘flexible shell’ around the core, the municipality of Oss is easy to convert from retail properties to homes. Where to live in the center above shops are encouraged, the municipality allows people to live in the flexible shell in stores. “In fact”, says Alderman for Living Joop van Orsouw, “We have a subsidy scheme for that, to push investors in that direction a bit.”
If retail properties are vacant for three years in the flexible shell, the retail permit will expire. The alderman notices that more and more investors see the point of opting for homes.
Local investors
The city has long suffered from high vacancy rates, says Van Orsouw: “That is why we drew up an action plan five years ago. In the flexible shell, it is therefore allowed to change functions, but in the center that is not allowed. Those buildings must have a public function. such as a shop, catering or library. The center must remain a place where people can meet.”
Five years ago, about 65 percent of the properties were owned by local investors and 35 percent by institutional investors, says center manager Van Lieshout. “Now 95 percent is from local investors. We have done our best to attract them and you can immediately see the result. They are much more involved with the city.”
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