Yesterday saw the first wave of high street ‘forced rentals’ after the Government’s previously reported new plan to reinvigorate our high streets came into force.
Councils can now auction off commercial sites that have been vacant for long stretches of time, and the Government has announced four that are leading the way in these developments – namely Darlington Borough Council, Bassetlaw District Council and Mansfield District Council. Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole will also be involved, albeit on an advisory basis.
The Government has also confirmed that other councils “have been invited to join the scheme at a later stage,” and over £1m has been pledged to support the auctions. Local growth minister Alex Norris said in parliament yesterday: “High streets lie at the heart of communities but in many areas they are not what they used to be.
“Small businesses need our support and that’s why we’re creating a ‘right to rent’ so that high street lots that have been left empty for far too long can be brought back to life. We want shops and shoppers back on the high street – and that’s what these changes will help to bring.”
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