Dudley Council could take over empty shops after meeting with minister
Empty shops in Dudley could be taken over by the council, refurbished and let to new tenants under a government regeneration scheme.
Local growth minister Alex Norris met with Dudley MP Sonia Kumar, council leader Councillor Patrick Harley, and council chief executive Balvinder Heran at Dudley Council House to discuss the government's High Street Rental Auction scheme.
Miss Kumar, who arranged the meeting, said the scheme could be used to breathe new life into Dudley's ailing High Street by cutting long-term vacancies and encouraging local enterprises.
Under the scheme, the council can write to the landlords of long-term vacant shops, asking what their plans for the buildings were.
If there were no clear plans to bring them back into use, the council can apply to take control, get them refurbished with government funding, and then auction off the leases to new tenants.
Miss Kumar said the initiative was part of a broader government effort to restore pride in town centres and boost economic growth.
Mr Norris said: “We’re giving councils the tools they need to take back control of their high streets.
"By unlocking empty shops and giving local people the opportunity to bring them back into use, we’re helping to create vibrant town centres that communities can be proud of.”
Miss Kumar said it had been a highly productive meeting, and said the council had agreed to look at using the powers
"We’re determined to make Dudley a flagship example of how this scheme can work," she said.
"By working together—local government, national government, and our community—we can kick-start the rejuvenation of Dudley High Street and create a more vibrant, welcoming town centre for everyone.”
The meeting ended with a shared commitment to move swiftly and collaboratively, ensuring Dudley was among the first towns to benefit from the new powers.
Miss Kumar said the next stage would be for the council to identify the properties it wanted to include in the scheme, and to contact the landlords.
The scheme, which forms part of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, came into force in December last year. Lichfield District Council announced in January it would be an early adopter of the scheme.
The legislation allows councils to intervene when a property has been vacant for a year or more within a two-year period.
Local authorities can issue a 'letting notice' to landlords of qualifying vacant properties.
After an initial notice period, a final letting notice can be issued, initiating the auction process.
The council can then get quotes for renovation work, and ask the Government for funding to carry out the work.
The council will then auction the lease to interested businesses or community groups, with a one-to-five year lease offered. If the landlord refuses to grant the lease, the council can do so on its behalf.
