Council tackles empty shops to revive high street

2 hours ago

Stuart ArnoldLocal Democracy Reporting Service

News image — Redcar and Cleveland Council has a plan to tackle empty shops across its town centres

LDRS A general view of an empty commercial property in Redcar high street. The property, which gives onto a main road with double yellow lines, has a 'to let' sign above the worn-out wooden boards where shop signs would once have been. The unit, with large shop windows, is painted blue. The wooden panels are white and red on one side of the unit and rough wood on the other. — Redcar and Cleveland Council has a plan to tackle empty shops across its town centres

Empty shops could be auctioned off in a council's move to keep its high streets alive.

Redcar and Cleveland Council said it had already contacted landlords of 10 problem properties in Redcar town centre, with more action planned across the area.

Lynn Pallister, Labour cabinet member overseeing growth and enterprise, said: "[High street decline] is happening right across the borough in every town centre - there isn't an easy solution."

A year ago, councils were given new powers by the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act to tackle commercial properties on high streets or town centres that have been empty for more than a year.

If landlords fail to secure a lease of at least 12 months, the council can auction the unit to the highest bidder, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A council report said high street boundaries had been drawn up for Redcar, Guisborough, Saltburn, Loftus and Eston town centres, and problem properties identified.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council A head-and-shoulders portrait of councillor Lynn Pallister. She has long dark soft curls with highlights. She is wearing a black blazer over a satin multicoloured patterned blouse. She is smiling at the camera. — Councillor Lynn Pallister said there was no easy solution to tackling empty shops

At a meeting, Pallister said the council had developed a commercial property tracker, which identified a total of 418 commercial properties in town centres.

Of these, 52 were currently vacant, with the majority having been empty for more than a year.

Pallister said 10 Redcar addresses had already been sent letters, with 22 more to be contacted soon.

The report said there was an awareness of the "endemic issues" facing traditional retailers, leading to their decline.

It added efforts were being made to reduce vacancy rates with existing businesses being offered advice and grants being made available to improve shops.

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