Plan to tackle long-term empty shops across towns

2 hours ago

Federica BedendoNorth East and Cumbria

Barrow is among the towns expected to be part of a pilot scheme to tackle empty shops

Google A Google Streetview screenshot of a shopping street in Barrow town centre. Shops line the street on both sides, with several shutters down. There are cars parked on both sides. — Barrow is among the towns expected to be part of a pilot scheme to tackle empty shops

Four towns have been chosen to pilot a scheme to get empty shops back into use.

Westmorland and Furness Council wants to trial new legislation designed to tackle high street premises that have been empty for a long time.

Under the rules, the council would be able to auction leases for the units to bring them back into use and "support the vitality" of town centres.

At a meeting on Tuesday, the Liberal Democrat authority's cabinet will discuss a proposal to launch a pilot targeting Barrow, Penrith, Kendal and Ulverston.

A report prepared ahead of the meeting said the council carried out annual shop counts across 27 high streets in its patch.

At the latest count, Barrow had a vacancy rate of 25.1%, Kendal of 18.1%, Ulverston 15.1% and Penrith 13.1%.

The authority said the figures showed "persistent challenges in maintaining occupied and vibrant town centres".

"While vacancy is most concentrated in the larger town centres selected for the pilots, it is a challenge affecting communities of all sizes across Westmorland and Furness, particularly rural service centres."

The report said once a pilot was established, the council could then move to target other areas with a "tried and tested" model.

Smaller towns and villages with high vacancy rates include:

Brough 29.4%
Shap 25%
Alston 23.4%
Coniston 20%
Patterdale 20%
Bowness 16.2%
Sedbergh 16.3%
Milnthorpe 16%
Appleby 15.6%

The lowest figures were recorded in Cartmel and Pooley Bridge, which had a 0% rate of long-term empty units, followed by Arnside with 4.2% and Grasmere at 5%.

Empty properties can "undermine the vitality and attractiveness" of towns, according to the council report.

"Bringing these properties back into productive use can support new and growing businesses, strengthen local economies, improve the appearance and vibrancy of our high streets and create places where people want to live, work, visit and invest."

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