Empty unit auctions could bring in new traders
GoogleEmpty shop units in parts of a Surrey town could be put up for auction by the district council in order to try and breath life back into the high street.
Tandridge District Council says it is consulting on a High Street Rental Auction scheme in Caterham, which would allow it to step in and take bids from prospective tenants to find businesses to fill the units.
If approved, the scheme would cover units in the south end of Croydon Avenue, the northern end of Godstone Road, and Station Avenue, the council said.
The online consultation on the plans will run for six weeks on the Tandridge District Council website, and will close at 23:59 on 27 July.
Under the scheme, Tandridge District Council would be able to run an auction process to identify tenants for vacant units where landlords have not taken steps to rent them out.
The auction process would begin with a 10-12 week notice period, to allow a landlord to try and find a tenant, after which the council would have 12 weeks to auction the property, and sign a tenancy agreement with a prospective tenant.
Shay Bakani, owner of Craft Stationers in Godstone Road, said: "I think it is up to the landlord and the onus should be on them, but I wholeheartedly agree that encouragement should be provided to do something about it.
"I think there is more scope for more breadth. A menswear shop or childrenswear shop could give more reasons for people to come to the town, for example," he said.
"Generally I feel like high streets are dying, but spending money on it proves that there is belief in Caterham."
A council spokesperson said bringing the vacant buildings back into use would support local businesses, improve the look of the town centre, and boost the local economy.
Councillor Deb Shiner said: "Vacant shops can have a real impact on our town centres.
"This new power could help bring empty buildings back into use, supporting local businesses and making Caterham Valley a more attractive place to live, work and visit."
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