Empty shops could be taken over in bid to revitalise town centres
LOCAL COMMUNITIES will be given greater powers to take control of empty high street shops under proposed legislation due to be unveiled in the Queen’s speech tomorrow.
The Government said it aimed to revitalise town centres by letting councils take control of boarded-up and derelict commercial properties, creating new jobs in the process.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson
said: “High streets up and down the country have long been blighted by derelict shopfronts, because they’ve been neglected, stripping opportunity from local areas.
“We are putting that right by placing power back in the hands of local leaders and the community so our towns can be rejuvenated, levelling up opportunity and restoring neighbourhood pride.”
But Sheffield Labour councillor Mazher Iqbal, Cabinet Member for City Futures, Development, Culture and Regeneration, said he was sceptical the plans would work without additional funding support.
The Government said the powers, due to be included in the Levelling up and Regeneration Bill, would enable councils to take control of buildings for the benefit of their communities, transforming boarded-up shops or derelict buildings into businesses, shared community spaces or housing.
The need for action is underlined by figures from the British Retail Consortium showing the number of empty shopfronts has soared to one in seven, rising to one in five in the North-East.
New compulsory rental auctions aim to ensure landlords auction shops that have been vacant for over a year to prospective tenants. Councils would also be given greater powers to drive regeneration through compulsory purchase orders, making it quicker and easier to deliver local housing and infrastructure.
But Coun Iqbal said: “Bringing empty shops into use that have been vacant for 12 months-plus, is costly. “Business rates relief ends next April, will it be extended? Someone looking to set up a business will be weighing up all these costs. They will also have inflation increasing, energy prices are expected to increase again in October, supply chain issues.
“Community groups will face the same predicament; they need the certainty of funding if they are going to take a risk. Most funders (trusts and charities) want to see seven to 10-year leases before they fund ‘capital’ and revenue. Sustainability is going to be an issue.”
The Government also plans to permanently scrap what it termed licensing red tape to make it easier for businesses to serve food al fresco and attract diners all year round. It follows the temporary powers granted to restaurants, pubs and bars during the pandemic to serve guests on pavements.
High streets have long been blighted by derelict shopfronts. Prime Minister Boris Johnson.