Westmorland and Furness Council’s consultation about new powers to carry out High Street Rental Auctions (HSRAs) closes on the 7th April anyone wishing to put their views on the proposal by the council to adopt the powers have just under two weeks left to make sure their views help shape a pilot project aimed at bringing long-term vacant town centre buildings back into functional use.
Westmorland and Furness Council is planning to use new High Street Rental Auction (HSRA) powers from government to bring energy, enterprise, and footfall back to our town centres, and support our unique and independent high street offer.
The council is proposing designated central areas of Barrow, Kendal, Penrith and Ulverston for a pilot scheme for HSRAs, based on their current and historic vacancy rates and potential to support thriving and vibrant town centres.
High Street Rental Auctions allow councils to step in and auction leases on long-term vacant commercial properties. HSRA only enables the council to assign a lease on behalf of the landlord if no action is taken. The landlord remains the legal owner of the property and landlords can still let their properties voluntarily.
HSRAs require landlords to rent out persistently vacant commercial properties to new tenants such as local businesses or community groups. They were introduced in December 2024 as part of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. Premises are eligible for a High Street Rental Auction where it has been unoccupied continuously for 12 months, or for at least 366 days (non-continuously) within a 24-month period.
A consultation on the pilot project closes on Tuesday 7 April. The council is seeking views and input from anybody with an interest in the pilot project on the areas proposed for Westmorland and Furness's HSRA designation, potential benefits or concerns and how the council can best support property owners and local businesses, social enterprises, cultural groups and organisations who may want a presence on our high streets.
More than 100 responses have been gathered so far. The Economic Development and Regeneration Team running the pilot is particularly keen to hear more views about the Barrow, Penrith and Ulverston areas, as well as areas outwith the current pilot designation.
Councillor Jonathan Brook, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economy, said: "There is great potential for HSRAs to revitalise high streets, by ensuring empty shops are put to productive use. Of course, the preferred outcome is for landlords to let their premises voluntarily and hopefully our scheme will encourage this. Our pilot scheme will allow us to see the benefits of these new powers and decide whether to extend their use to other places.
"The first results from councils around the country are encouraging and we want this scheme to work well in Westmorland and Furness. That's why your input is vital and I ask everybody with an interest to take part in our consultation. This will ensure we develop the best scheme for our area."
The areas proposed for the pilot scheme in Penrith are: Angel Lane, Angel Square, Bowling Green Lane, Brewery Lane, Burrowgate, Castlegate, Cornmarket, Devonshire Street, Great Dockray, King Street, Little Dockray, Market Square, Middlegate, Poets Walk, Princes Street, Queen Street, St. Andrews
Find out more about High Street Rental Auctions and take part in the survey at:
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