Slough’s Queensmere Observatory Shopping Centre is one of five around the country to take part in a pilot scheme aimed at regenerating the high street and supporting local community groups.

Open Doors renovates vacant units within shopping centres and turns them into a hub for a wide range of community-orientated projects.

Through the scheme, community groups who don’t necessarily require a full-time lease, will be able to utilise the space on a short-term basis, free of charge.

The scheme is a government supported venture between the independent charity, Meanwhile Foundation, and Meanwhile Space CIC. The aim is to use empty units as a platform for positive social change within the community, while also supporting a struggling high street by tackling vacancy rates.

Queensmere centre manager Chris Shaw said: “The centre team are incredibly proud to have been chosen as one of only five locations to take part in the new scheme.

“We believe that shopping centres act as the heart of a community and should therefore benefit and support the public who live locally and visit us.

“We are hopeful that Open Doors will contribute to us further cementing our relationship with the Slough community as well as giving back to our shoppers.”

The scheme is expected to launch in Queensmere in the coming months.