'Tis The Season ... To Secure Empty Premises

With our high streets and shopping centres rather more empty of tenants than in previous years, and an increased interest in squatters rights, landlords could be faced with the prospect of unwelcome visitors, in the form of "pop-up shops", in the run up to Christmas.

Vacant, inadequately secured shop units are often a magnet for unlawful traders.  Landlords will no doubt want to take action rather than await the inevitable voluntary vacation after the festive season.  We outline some steps you may wish to consider:

As a starting point you could just ask the unwelcome visitors to leave voluntarily as they have no rights to be there.  This is unlikely to have the desired effect, however, it is worth a try and perhaps a notice served by a process server may encourage the less experienced squatter to vacate.