20/06/11 FT reports on how you 'Fake it to make it'

Harrow Council hopes to mask the effects of economic decline by creating London's first high-tech "fake shop", turning a boarded up property into what appears to be a florist's in an effort to attract independent retailers to the hight street.

One in five shops in North Harrow is vacant, a statistic the council hopes that the optical illusion will address.

The former dog grooming parlour is set to be emblazoned with the slogan "This retail space could be yours.." on weatherproof aluminium. (From Financial Times)