Viking Prints to move to larger Leigh Park store as part of Havant Borough Council's vacant shop scheme

Sean Logan, the owner of Viking Prints, will be opening the doors to his new shop in Greywell Road, Leigh Park on Saturday, November 9 with a ceremony which will be a “celebration of community spirit”. Havant Borough Council awarded Sean a grant of £30,000 to repurpose the unit via its vacant shop scheme to encourage more footfall in the area.

The new unit will see the company double its current square footage and it enables it to grow while staying in Leigh Park. Sean can’t wait to get started in the new premises.

He said: "We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity provided by the council’s Vacant Shop Scheme. This initiative has allowed us to expand our business and contribute more to the vibrant community of Leigh Park. We look forward to welcoming new customers and becoming a bigger part of the community.

“We invite everyone to join us for our grand opening event on Saturday, November 9 at 10:30am. The event will feature special promotions and a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the mayor of Havant, councillor Peter Wade. It's a celebration of community spirit and a step towards a brighter future for our high street."

The vacant shop scheme was launched earlier this year to encourage more people to visit the Park Parade and Greywell shopping areas. Businesses and community groups were invited to apply for the scheme with Sean and his independent printing service announced as a recipient.

Councillor Gillian Harris, cabinet lead for regeneration and communities, said “The Vacant Shop Scheme has played a pivotal role in allowing this small business to expand. By repurposing empty retail spaces and giving businesses a chance to thrive, this initiative is helping rejuvenate our shopping centre and support local economies. We are thrilled to be a part of this positive change.”

The scheme is still open for applications with grants ranging from £1,000 to £50,000 depending on the size of the unit. Further information on the scheme and details of how to apply can be found on the Havant Borough Council website.