Impact Arts

somewhereto_ re: store campaign opens pop up shop in Glasgow city centre,
giving young people a chance to contribute to Glasgow culture.

Glasgow is the latest city to
reclaim the high street by taking over an empty shop in the city centre as part
of somewhereto_ re: store [the high
street heist], giving all young people a chance to showcase their talents and
inject their energy and ideas into the local high street.

On 30th July, the public are
invited to help kickstart the project by coming along to the launch. The event
will act as a taster for what to expect from Glasgow’s latest creative hub,
including Lewalicious, a popup cake
boutique, Photovoice, a photography
exhibition by young people, and a live comic art project. Impact Arts will be starting their project of creating a series of
dresses from recycled materials – starting with a plastic bottle dress and
inviting the public to take part. Guests will be treated to music from some of
Scotland’s most aspiring musicians. This free event runs from 6pm till 10pm on
30th July, at new pop up venue DNA on 12-16 South Frederick Street. Space is
limited so get there early.

One young creative snapping up the
chance to get involved is Hayley Thomson
from Rutherglen, who is using her interior design skills to renovate the
somewhereto_ re: store space. She says; “I feel we are doing something good for
Glasgow, somewhereto_ re: store is giving us a chance to be a part of Glasgow
culture. There are loads of exciting
things happening in the city and this is giving me the chance to contribute.”

somewhereto_ re: store [the high street heist] is a youth led high
street take over, funded by the Big Lottery Fund, of six disused shop spaces
across the UK this summer. The campaign
will showcase young people’s ideas to the crisis at the core of our communities
and give them the chance to inject their natural energy, ideas and
entrepreneurialism into our struggling high streets.

Nicola Sturgeon, Deputy First
Minister of Scotland commented on Community and Enterprise in Scotland’s Town
Centres, “We want to take every measure
possible to ensure our town centres are vibrant places.”

Alison Bell, Project Hub Coordinator
for Glasgow, says: “By giving young
creatives a platform to showcase their talents somewhereto_ re: store is
bringing about a new kind of high street – a high street to be proud of that is
investing in the future of young businesses”

somewhereto_ is funded by a £7m
injection from the Big Lottery Fund granted
in December 2012 to support its UK-wide expansion over the following four
years. The service is delivered by youth
engagement agency Livity in partnership with YouTube.

Linda Quinn, BIG Director of Communications, said: “Young
people are fizzing with ideas and enthusiasm just waiting to be unleashed and
the somewhereto_ re: store campaign will provide them with the opportunity to
channel this energy into a project that they feel passionate about. It is young
people that have been hit hardest by the economic downturn but we mustn’t let
their talents go to waste and by giving them the chance to takeover high street
shops, they can show Britain just what they have to offer.

“The Big Lottery Fund is proud
to support Livity’s excellent work in transforming the prospects of a
generation and giving young voices a say in issues of real relevance to
them.”

Support the young people taking
charge of the high street and donate space, equipment, kit, and your time or
just show up and check out how young people are bringing empty space to life UK
wide. Make the most of your summer! somewhereto_
re: store wants you to get involved with your ideas on how to transform your
local high street. Get ready to inspire and be inspired!

Find out more at www.somewhereto.com/restore,
or for further information please contact Alison Bell Project Hub Coordinator
for Glasgow at [email protected]