The new powers, known as High Street Rental Auctions (HSRAs), will allow councils to auction leases for unused buildings. The aim is to bring these properties back into productive use, revitalising town centres with new energy, enterprise, and increased footfall.
Pilot designations for the scheme have been approved for Barrow, Kendal, Penrith, and Ulverston. Councillor Jonathan Brook, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for the Economy, stated that diverse high streets are central to the vision of a thriving and sustainable Westmorland and Furness, supporting businesses, jobs, and regeneration.
Introduced in December 2024, HSRAs require landlords to rent out persistently vacant commercial properties if they have not taken reasonable steps to let them. Premises are eligible if they have been unoccupied for 12 months continuously, or for at least 366 days non-continuously within a 24-month period.
Following a statutory notice process, councils can arrange an auction and grant a lease, typically for one to five years, to a successful bidder. The uses supported include shops, cafés, offices, community facilities, and leisure services, all aimed at reducing long-term vacancy and supporting local economies.
The proposed areas for the pilot scheme include specific streets in Barrow (e.g., Cavendish Street, Dalton Road), Kendal (e.g., Finkle Street, Market Place), Penrith (e.g., King Street, Cornmarket), and Ulverston (e.g., Brogden Street, Market Street).
