Empty shops in Lichfield will go under hammer as city becomes one of first in the country to join regeneration scheme
Empty shops in Lichfield will be auctioned off as the city became the first district in the West Midlands to join a new government regeneration scheme.
Lichfield District Council is one of the first 11 authorities in the country to sign up for the Government's High Street Rental Auctions schemes, which gives councils power to take over empty commercial properties and rent them out to the highest bidder.
The scheme allows councils to take over properties that have been empty for more than 365 days of a 24-month period, and let them out on leases of one-to-five year.
The Government hopes this will reinvigorate town centres and giving local businesses the backing they need to thrive.
It has provided more than £1 million of funding to support the scheme, and ministers hope more councils will follow by signing up to the powers.
Minister for Local Growth Alex Norris said: “We’re bringing shops and shoppers back to the high street, boosting trade, creating jobs, supporting our communities and driving local growth through our game changing High Street Rental Auction rollout.
Small Business Minister Gareth Thomas added: “We promised to lift the shutters on the country’s high streets and that’s exactly what’s happening across these local authorities today.
“We know that small businesses are the drivers of our economy, which is why we’re working hard to boost exports and tackle late payments. High Street Rental Auctions are another crucial tool to support small- and medium-sized enterprises, increase jobs and go for growth."
