Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up (): Today, we publish the
response to the High Street Rental Auction consultation that was
launched last year. We sought views on matters relating to the
delivery of High Street Rental Auctions and today I am pleased to
announce the findings. This is a significant step in responding
to landlords, tenants, industry bodies and local authorities,
clarifying the design of this important new power.
Amongst a number of topics, the consultation response outlines
how Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards will operate in relation
to a High Street Rental Auction, and responds to questions raised
on the new permitted development right which will be introduced.
This is a significant milestone prior to the publication of
guidance and the launch of High Street Rental Auctions.
The high street is the beating heart of every town and city. A
thriving high street is the centre of a community, a place for
socialising, shopping and doing business. They are a snapshot of
a place, signalling how well the regional economy is faring.
However, our high streets are facing tough times, and when retail
and hospitality businesses are under stress the blight of vacant
buildings tends to follow. Empty properties lead to a vicious
spiral of decline, where fewer shops lead to less visitors, and
our once vibrant town centres dwindle.
The Government is working hard to revive the nation's high
streets. We designed High Street Rental Auctions to allow all
councils to level up economic growth in their communities and
improve pride in place. High Street Rental Auctions, which will
apply to England only, are part of the Levelling Up and
Regeneration Act 2023 which will allow local authorities to
require landlords to let their empty high street shops through an
auction, achieving a rental lease of between 1 and 5 years for a
suitable high street use. This permissive power will be further
articulated in secondary legislation, with the powers coming into
force this summer.
I will be writing to local authorities and sector stakeholders
reminding them of the introduction of this new power and the
significant role it will play in tackling vacancy.
