A new scheme to revitalise high streets could soon be rolled out across Lewisham.
Lewisham Council has proposed bringing forward High Street Rental Auction (HSRA) powers for a number of areas across the borough, including Catford, New Cross, and Deptford.
This policy, introduced by the government as part of its Levelling Up and Regeneration Act, will allow the council to require landlords who consistently have empty properties on the high street to rent them out to businesses or community groups.
Lewisham Council said the scheme aims to tackle the issue of empty shops on the high street, and therefore allow businesses and the community to "thrive".
The council said: "Unfortunately, in Lewisham, several of our high streets have empty commercial properties, which can take away from the liveliness of the town centre and impact other local businesses.
"These vacant properties may even be rented out but do not have any businesses actively trading there.
"To tackle this Londonwide issue, the government has introduced a new High Street Rental Auctions (HSRA) policy which gives local authorities the power to require landlords who have persistently vacant commercial properties to rent them out new tenants such as local businesses or community groups."
To use the HSRA powers, the council must designate an area or street where there are a number of long-term empty commercial properties.
The latest proposed designations come after the approval of Forest Hill as a pilot area on January 21, following a public consultation.
Businesses are now encouraged to register their interests for several properties in Dartmouth Road and London Road which are expected to become available through the HSRA process.
A consultation on the new areas planned for this scheme is also now open, with residents, business owners and landlords able to have their say until March 20.
Full list of Lewisham areas proposed for High Street Rental Auction designation
- Catford Major Centre
- New Cross District Centre
- Deptford District Centre
- Blackheath District Town Centre
- Sydenham District Centre
- Downham District Centre
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