Thanet District Council is planning to apply new legislation, under the High Street Rental Auction (HSRA) scheme, to proactively tackle the issue of long-term vacant commercial properties. The aim is to revitalise the district’s high streets and town centres, ensuring they remain vibrant hubs for the community and local economy.
The HSRA is a permissive power granted to local authorities to bring persistently vacant premises back into active use. A rental auction can connect landlords with potential tenants, injecting new life into empty units and boosting the overall high street experience.
For a property to be eligible for a High Street Rental Auction, it must be located on a designated high street or in a designated town centre and be considered suitable for a high-street use. These uses include:
- Shops or offices
- Services for visiting members of the public
- Restaurants, bars, pubs, cafés, and other food and drink establishments
- Public entertainment or recreation venues
- Communal halls or meeting places
- Manufacturing or light industrial processes compatible with the above uses
Thanet District Council wants to hear from local people about which streets and areas within Thanet they think are most important to the local economy, due to their concentration of high-street uses.
There are a number of streets that the council has identified in Margate, Cliftonville and Ramsgate. People are encouraged to give feedback if they don’t agree with any of them, or feel that there are any that have been missed.
Residents are invited to review a proposed list and map of designated high streets and town centre areas. Residents will also be able to consult the maps online in order to help them to consider and provide feedback.
Cllr Ruth Duckworth, Thanet District Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Property, said: “Choosing to participate in the new High Street Rental Auction scheme is another example of our commitment to our high streets and town centres. By turning empty properties into thriving spaces, we can breathe new life into our communities.
“Public input is absolutely crucial. I’d urge everyone to take a moment to review the proposed street lists and maps and share their thoughts – this feedback will directly shape where this programme has the biggest positive impact for Thanet.”
All comments and suggestions can be shared with the council via its online engagement platform – Your Voice Thanet. The community engagement period will run from Saturday 5 July 2025 to Friday 15 August 2025.
All feedback received during this period will be considered before any final designations are made. The insights generated will help the council to ensure that the HSRA scheme is targeted effectively to where it can have the greatest positive impact.
Feedback can also be provided by:
Email: propertyandassetmanagement@thanet.gov.uk
Post: FAO: Property HSRA Community Engagement, Thanet District Council, Main offices, Cecil Street, Margate CT9 1XZ
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