Eight more councils have signed up to a scheme which would allow them to auction off leases for long-term empty commercial properties.

Bassetlaw, Darlington and Mansfield councils signed up late last year. Now they have been joined by Barnsley, Broxtowe, Camden, Hillingdon, Lichfield, North Northamptonshire, North Somerset and Westminster councils. 

High Street Rental Auctions, introduced at the end of last year, give local councils the power to auction off leases for commercial properties that have been empty for long periods, helping bring business back to the high street and drive growth across the country. 

HSRAs allow councils to put properties up for auction that have been empty for more than 365 days in a 24-month period, for a one-to-five year lease. Some £1m of funding has been provided to support the rollout of HSRAs and the government looks forward to more councils delivering with the powers. 

Minister of State for Local Growth and Building Safety Alex Norris says: “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. I am delighted that eight more councils have become Early Adopters of these new powers, acting as leading lights for other local authorities.”