Bournemouth to benefit from new policy to reopen empty shops
Its hoped the new powers given to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council will revive the high street.
Bournemouth is to benefit from a new policy that gives the local council the authority to auction any retail units for rent that are sitting empty for 365 days in a two-year period.
The Government announced in November that it would be continuing the Conservative policy first announced in May this year by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (now called the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government).
The new rules will enable councils to take control of empty properties and rent them out to local businesses in a bid to increase footfall and tackle wide-ranging related issues such as increased unemployment and anti-social behaviour.
Its hoped this will allow new businesses to take on empty shops with affordable rents, providing more jobs for local people.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council will be able to auction leases for up to five years, with no reserve price, giving local firms and community groups the chance to occupy space on the high street at a competitive market rate.
Jessica Toale, MP for Bournemouth West said: "Reviving our town centre is one of my top priorities as MP for Bournemouth West. We hope these right-to-rent powers will rid Bournemouth town centre of empty properties that sit dormant for years and provide shops that could give a home to local businesses or even a base to community organisations."