Cabinet to discuss proposed locations for High Street Rental Auctions

Next Wednesday (4 March), Cabinet will be asked to approve proposed locations in the town centre, Goldthorpe and Wombwell where High Street Rental Auctions can take place.

High Street Rental Auctions were introduced in December 2024 as part of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. They give councils the power to require landlords to rent out persistently vacant commercial properties to new tenants, such as local businesses or community groups.

Councils must first designate areas within a high street or town centre with suitable premises which can be used in the rental auctions.

The proposed areas for Barnsley are Market Street (from Wellington Street to Queen Street), Peel Street and Shambles Street in the town centre, High Street and Station Road in Wombwell, and Doncaster Road in Goldthorpe.

A vacancy and local benefit test must also be met to demonstrate that bringing the space back into use would support the local economy, community or environment.

If these proposals are approved by Cabinet, a four-week engagement period will be held to gather feedback from residents, businesses and landlords.

Councillor Robin Franklin, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said:

One of the missions in our Inclusive Economic Growth Strategy is to empower all of our communities to thrive.

"The High Street Rental Auctions will allow us to do this by targeting areas in the borough which we know to have the highest levels of unoccupied spaces and bringing them back into use.

"Allowing local businesses and community groups to access these persistently vacant spaces will breathe new life into our high streets, which are the beating heart of our communities.

"This work, along with our ongoing Pride in Place and Principal Towns programmes, will help to support economic, social, and environmental wellbeing in urban centres across the borough.