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Last week we were named as one of eight additional local authorities to be given new powers as part of the UK Government's High Street Rental Auctions scheme.
This means we’ll be able to auction off leases for commercial properties that are empty and not adequately marketed by their owners over a long period of time.
Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and prolonged empty units are a blight on town centres across the country.
The scheme would create a ‘right to rent’ for small businesses, start-ups and community groups.
These short-term rents may appeal to businesses and organisations which wouldn’t otherwise have been able to secure units in prime locations.
Under the rules of the scheme, properties vacant for more than a year could be subject to a High Street Rental Auction if the landlord hasn't taken sufficient steps to let their premises.
We'd only apply these powers in exceptional circumstances where there are long-term, avoidable issues with vacant properties and where efforts to engage with landlords have been unsuccessful.
We now need to determine designated zones, which meet the government’s criteria, where the powers could be applied.
We'll invite local communities and stakeholders to have their say on proposed designated zones within Clevedon, Nailsea and Weston-super-Mare.
An engagement exercise is due to launch in the spring and details will be published nearer the time.
Portishead isn't currently being considered for the scheme. This is because a review of property vacancy rates, indicated that the town would not benefit at this time.
We may consider adding additional locations to the scheme at a later date.