Vacant shops to be filled as high streets revitalised

More vacant shops and other commercial premises will be transformed as councils use new powers to revitalise high streets across the country.

• Eight more councils to breathe life back into high streets by signing up to tackle scourge of vacant shops
• High Street Rental Auctions let councils auction off leases for empty commercial properties
• Bringing businesses back to high streets and driving growth across country as part of Plan for Change milestone to kickstart local economic growth

More vacant shops and other commercial premises will be transformed as councils use new powers to revitalise high streets across the country, delivering on the government’s Plan for Change growth mission and supporting local communities.

Eight more local authorities have committed to implement High Street Rental Auction (HSRA) powers as the latest wave of Early Adopters, setting an example for other councils.

These are Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Broxtowe Borough Council, Camden London Borough Council, Hillingdon London Borough Council, Lichfield District Council, North Northamptonshire Council, North Somerset Council and Westminster City Council.

High Street Rental Auctions, introduced at the end of last year, give local councils the power to auction off leases for commercial properties that have been empty for long periods, helping bring business back to the high street and drive growth across the country.

This brings the total number of councils trailing the scheme to 11 – with Bassetlaw, Darlington and Mansfield councils becoming Early Adopters in November.

Minister of State for Local Growth and Building Safety Alex Norris said:

“We’re bringing shops and shoppers back to the high street, boosting trade, creating jobs, supporting our communities and driving local growth through our game changing High Street Rental Auction rollout.

“I am delighted that eight more councils have become Early Adopters of these new powers, acting as leading lights for other local authorities.

“We are committed to growing the economy and improving opportunities for people across the country through our Plan for Change, and thriving high streets have a key role to play.”

Small Business Minister Gareth Thomas said:

“We promised to lift the shutters on the country’s high streets and that’s exactly what’s happening across these local authorities today.

“We know that small businesses are the drivers of our economy, which is why we’re working hard to boost exports and tackle late payments, and HRSAs are another crucial tool to support SMEs, increase jobs and go for growth.”

HSRAs allow councils to put properties up for auction that have been empty for more than 365 days in a 24-month period, for a one-to-five year lease, reinvigorating town centres and giving local businesses the backing they need to thrive.

Over £1 million of funding has been provided to support the rollout of HSRAs and the government looks forward to more councils delivering with the powers.

It forms part of the government’s wider commitment to support high streets and small businesses, in line with its work to drive economic growth in all parts of the country and break down barriers to opportunity.

Supporting small businesses is at the heart of this government’s growth mission, and plans are underway to unleash the potential of small businesses all around the country. A new  Small Business Strategy will be published later this year.