Darlington Borough Council given new powers to tackle empty shops
The authority's among four early adopters of the Government scheme
Darlington Borough Council has been given new powers to tackle empty shops and bring more businesses back to the high street.
The council were among four early adopters of the Government's High Street Rental Auctions scheme which was launched earlier this week.
The authority says the scheme, which gives local authorities new powers to auction off leases for commercial properties, will stop disengaged landlords sitting on empty lots.
Properties which have been vacant for more than a year could be subject to a High Street Rental Auction if the landlord has not taken sufficient steps to let their premises. However, High Street Rental Auctions will only be applied in exceptional circumstances where there are long term avoidable issues with vacant properties and efforts to engage with landlords have been unsuccessful.
A community and stakeholder consultation exercise will take place in early 2025 regarding the proposed areas in Darlington where the powers can be applied.
Deputy leader of Darlington Borough Council, Cllr Chris McEwan, who is also cabinet member for economy, said: "The prolonged vacancy of a small number of shops and buildings is a blight on our high street.
"High Street Rental Auctions will form part of our overall strategy to tackle empty buildings in the town centre and will play a critical role in our efforts to regenerate Darlington.
"Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and the scheme will create a ‘right to rent’ for businesses and community groups; helping to create a vibrant town scene, which will attract more footfall for local businesses and more jobs for local people."
Local Growth Minister Alex Norris said: “High streets lie at the heart of communities the length and breadth of this country. But in many areas, they are not what they used to be.
“Small businesses need our support and that’s why we are 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.”
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: "Empty shop premises that gather dust aren't doing any good to high streets, jobs and the economy. This is why we said we'd lift the shutters, and today we are delivering on that promise.
"Paired with the wider small business strategy to tackle late payments, getting more SMEs exporting, and boosting access to finance, we are unashamedly backing small firms, to get more people into well paid jobs and help grow our economy."