Plans to revive struggling town centers will become a key part of next week’s Queen’s Speech as the prime minister tries to move on after his party’s poor local election performance.
Boris Johnson will say on Tuesday he wants to get rid of the high streets of derelict shops and restore “neighborhood pride”, with councils given extra powers to make that happen. .
The Upgrades and Renewal Bill would allow UK councils to hold mandatory rental auctions to ensure shops that have been vacant for more than a year will be available to future tenants.
According to figures from the British Retail Consortium, one in seven stores is vacant, of which a fifth is empty in the Northeast.
Many have lost tenants due to high rents and business prices, as well as reduced demand as buyers move online.
Councils will also have greater authority to use mandated orders to deliver housing, renewable programs and infrastructure.
Other ideas include making sidewalk cafes a permanent part of town centres.
Coffee shops have become popular during the coronavirus pandemic as restaurants, pubs and bars have been temporarily licensed to serve guests on sidewalks rather than indoors.
This permission will be made in perpetuity according to the plans.
Mr Johnson said: “High streets above and below the country have long been marred by derelict shops, because they have been neglected, depriving local areas of opportunity.
“We are exercising that right by putting power back in the hands of local and community leaders so our towns can rejuvenate, enhance opportunities and restore regional pride.” city.”
Promotions Minister Michael Gove said: “By empowering local communities to rent out stores that have been vacant for a year or so, we will end the scourge of overcrowded stores. devastated some of our major towns across the country for so long.”
Other measures expected in the package include the Brexit Freedoms Bill to make it easier to repeal European Union laws and a Human Rights Bill to replace the Human Rights Act. .
