ONE of the biggest empty shops in Colchester town centre could be turned over for charities, arts, community groups and social enterprises to use for free.

The three-storey former JJB Sports building in the High Street has stood empty since last June.

The 15,064 sq ft shop has been taken on by the charity, 3Space, which manages empty commercial property for community use.

Andrew Cribb, the charity’s director, said: “I’m really excited about this in Colchester because I know there is so much activity.

“There is lots going on and a lot of different groups.”

Groups moving into the building will be allowed to operate without paying any rent, rates or utility bills.

Business rates will paid by 3Space, while JJB Sports, which still holds the lease, will cover the utility bills and waive the rent.

Several charity and community groups will get the chance to share the building for varying lengths of time, benefiting not only from the lack of overheads, but also the chance to have a town centre presence.

Mr Cribb said: “We are trying to create a piece of social infrastructure. We see it as a kind of community centre.”

3Space has several properties on its books, including 15 former JJB stores. The buildings remain on the market for sale or rent, so if a commercial buyer or tenant is found, the charity tenants are expected to leave at short notice.

The scheme echoes the Slack Space project, which was launched in Colchester in 2009, providing an art gallery and small-scale entertainment venue in a succession of disused shops and is currently based in Victoria Place, off Eld Lane.

Ron Levy, secretary of Colchester Retail Business Association ,said: “If it means a shop is occupied by people and offering something of interest to the public, it has to be better than an empty shop.

“If this means artists are getting the opportunity to market their work in a High Street position, that’s an added bonus.”

Mr Cribb and colleagues will be visiting the Colchester site on Friday. Anyone interested in joining them to look over the building with the view to taking space is asked to e-mail info@3space.org For more information about 3Space visit 3space.org