High Street Rental Auctions

Overview

High Street Rental Auctions (HSRAs) are a new powers that allows councils to step in and auction leases on long-term vacant commercial properties. The aim is to get unused buildings back into productive use, bringing energy, enterprise, and footfall back to our town centres. 

When we refer to the term ‘high street’, we are referring to our main commercial and retails centres within given towns or villages. These can include, but not exclusively: 

• Central shopping area, predominantly where retail developments are concentrated, where higher levels of footfall are; 
• Mix of businesses including chain stores (e.g. Boots, Tesco Express), independent retailers and producers, cafés and restaurants, salons, estate agents, banks, etc. 
• Social hubs for activity, often acting as a focal points for local life and community events; 
• Cultural and heritage significance, which are reflected in both the built environment and character of a place. 

We are a geographically large council area, with a range of high streets, from our larger and more urban centres to smaller rural streets at the heart of our smaller communities. All are important to us, and all play an essential part of our strong and unique offer for residents and visitors. 

Proposed designated areas and pilot for High Street Rental Auctions  

Westmorland and Furness Council is proposing to designate pilot areas for these new powers in Barrow, Kendal, Penrith and Ulverston.

These proposed areas for designation are based upon the Primary Shopping Areas as specified in the Local Plan, and selected due to: 

• Current and historic vacancy rates; 
• Local Plan and regeneration priorities; 
• Potential to support thriving and vibrant town centres

The council is proposing a HSRA pilot that will test systems and approaches, and identify potential risks, challenges and opportunities prior to adopting HSRAs in further towns and villages where there are high streets with commercial/retail properties, alongside evidence or increased risk of long term vacancy. 

Maps and addresses for the proposed pilot areas for designation can be viewed below:

We want your views on: 

• The areas we've proposed for designation; 
• The potential benefits or concerns you see; 
• How we can best support property owners and local businesses, social enterprises, cultural groups and organisations how may want a presence on our high streets.

Why your views matter