Belfast: The Phenomenon of Fake Shop Fronts

In cities all around the globe, a peculiar trend has been emerging - the proliferation of fake shop fronts and Belfast is on trend. These meticulously crafted facades mimic the appearance of real businesses, complete with signage, window displays, and even faux entrances. From bustling urban centers to quaint village streets, these deceptive storefronts have become an increasingly common sight, sparking curiosity and speculation among residents and visitors alike. Some have even taken to YouTube, creating comedy content to mock the trend.

So, what lies behind this curious phenomenon? Why are councils, local government and even central government faking our high streets. Maybe that's the answer right there, to cover up the failing high street and the economic, social, urban, planning factors and policies that are leading to their everyday decline.

Whilst on the face of it, one of the primary reasons for the prevalence of fake shop fronts may be the desire to maintain the aesthetic integrity of urban environments. Surely this is better done by investing the money in encouraging tenants into these shops or compelling landlords to maintain them. The question has to be asked, is it you that's paying for their policy of hiding available shops rather than letting them? When did you last see a 'To Let' on a shop with a fake front, that wasn't in a city centre? When did you last see a shop with a fake front on a property portal?

Surely, revitalizing these vacant premises and spaces is of more value. In cities grappling with high vacancy rates and urban blight, do fake shop fronts really offer a creative means of revitalizing derelict or abandoned properties? Are people so easily fooled into thinking that dressing up retail premises is going to work, simply giving the illusion of activity and occupancy, or are fake shop fronts a way of hiding decline with window dressing, rather than having an active policy of reversing it. It is true that some shops in Belfast have bucked the trend and come back into service but others have had fake facades for over a decade and now even the fake shop fronts needs a fake shop front to become aesthetically pleasing.

There are a million people across the nation who would love to start a business, but rents and rates deter them. Surely public policy should be geared at providing these unused properties on low rents and with zero rates to those willing to take their first step into business and self-employment, rather than allowing some areas to become boarded up, with boards that have pretty pictures on them.

In the case of Belfast, our capital city surely Belfast City Council, the Northern Ireland Assembly and NI Executive should have a regeneration policy to bring these premises back to life, rather than wasting away and with them the opportunities that could have provided to others to start their own business and provide growth for the city.

If you have photos of more fake shop fronts in your area of Belfast (or further afield) contact us and if possible we'll include it in our photo galleries. Please note, the photo must be yours, by sending it you provide us with permission to publish it and your submission is subject to the terms and conditions of this site.