Lambeth Council has confirmed that Brixton, West Norwood and New Park Road Triangle, on Brixton Hill, would be the sites of the ‘right to rent’ trial scheme, designed to breathe new life into the borough’s high streets.
The designation followed a statutory consultation, which found a majority of responses supported the proposals to use new powers to enable Lambeth to auction off permission to rent shops that have been empty for more than a year.
High Street Rental Auction (HRSA) powers were introduced under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, in an attempt to tackle long-term vacant properties criticised for damaging local high streets.
Lambeth is planning to use HRSAs to revitalise local economies and test these powers in different types of high street, referred to in our Local Plan as “Brixton Major Town Centre”, “West Norwood District Centre” and “New Park Road Local Centre”. Businesses and organisations are being invited to register their interest for future high street units that are made available through HSRA via the council’s property enquiry form.
As part of the Mayor of London’s work to support more mission-driven property management across the city’s high streets, Lambeth has received £50,000 from the Mayor of London and UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to support the borough’s HSRA programme. Lambeth is one of only two councils in London to be awarded a grant from the Greater London Authority (GLA) to pilot the national HRSA scheme.
Word from the Cabinet
Cllr Marcia Cameron, Lambeth’s Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, said: “High streets are the vital core of communities across the country, and Lambeth is no different. But, in recent years, our shopping streets have been at the front line of economic challenges, and shops of all sizes are not thriving as they once did.
“We’re committed to doing everything we can to revive our high streets, and these powers offer a golden opportunity to tackle the scourge of persistently empty premises. We’ll work with all our landlords, residents and local businesses to make sure High Street rental auctions help bring shoppers back to these three areas.”
Howard Dawber, London’s Deputy Mayor for Business & Growth said: “Supporting and improving the capital’s high streets is a key part of the London Growth Plan, developed by the Mayor and London boroughs.
“High Street Rental Auctions provide a valuable new mechanism to match empty shops with communities and businesses, breathing new life into our high streets and boosting the local economy. We’re pleased to be supporting Lambeth to test this new programme which could be scaled up across the city, as we build a better, more prosperous London for everyone.”
Lambeth’s vacancy rate for retail has not recovered to pre-covid levels, with some shops and commercial units remaining empty for many years despite strong demand from small businesses, social enterprises and community organisations. A council report last month described the pilot scheme as “a valuable new tool for supporting economic growth and revitalising high streets by bringing long-term vacant properties back into productive use”. It aligns with Lambeth’s 10-year Growth Plan, and Night Time Economy Strategy, as well as the London Growth Plan, which recognise the importance of vibrant neighbourhoods and town centres for economic growth.
Lambeth sought to designate three areas with the highest eligible long-term vacancy in order to test the effectiveness of the powers in different high street contexts. The council will prioritise proactive engagement with landlords and explore voluntary solutions before pursuing formal notice and auction proceedings. Through the programme, the council will cover auctions costs to reduce barriers for small businesses, and support will be provided to help prospective tenants navigate the auction process. Lambeth will also work closely with local partners, including Business Improvement Districts, to maximise the impact of the programme.
The council will seek outcomes that support the long-term vitality of Lambeth’s high streets – including encouraging uses that meet local needs, support inclusive growth and create opportunities for local and independent businesses. People who responded to the consultation expressed particular support for new independent businesses, community spaces, cultural uses and affordable workspaces to be supported through the auction process.
Survey responses also highlighted a number of additional areas that could be designated for auctions in the future, including larger centres such as Streatham and Clapham, as well as local centres such as Loughborough Junction, Acre Lane and Elm Park.
This project is part-funded by the Mayor of London and UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The Mayor of London is investing in high streets through a £20m High Street Support Fund. £12.4m has been invested into improvements in five key places, already underway (Hoxton, Neasden, Lewisham, Ilford, and Croydon) and the Mayor is also offering 12 boroughs £50,000 to develop a strategy for their own local economy – alongside supporting them to manage empty high street units and bring them back into use, or auction them off.
