Islington to auction empty shops to revive Caledonian Road high street
Islington Council has initiated a formal consultation on a strategy to breathe life back into Caledonian Road by auctioning the leases of long-term empty shops. Under the proposed High Street Rental Auction (HSRA) powers, the local authority could intervene when commercial units have sat vacant for more than a year without significant efforts from landlords to secure new tenants.
The move targets a specific stretch of the “Cally” where shopfront neglect has become a visible issue. Currently, Caledonian Road faces a vacancy rate of 17.5%, which is nearly double the average across the rest of the Islington borough. By utilizing these new powers, the council aims to reduce the number of boarded-up windows and increase footfall for existing traders.
New powers targeting long-term vacancies on Caledonian Road
The High Street Rental Auction powers are part of a broader national framework designed to tackle the decline of British high streets. These powers allow the council to step in only after a property has remained unoccupied for 365 consecutive days. The primary goal is to ensure that commercial spaces contribute to the local economy rather than sitting as wasted assets.
Critically, these powers do not affect any business that is currently open and trading. They are not designed to force active tenants out or to seize property from owners. Landlords retain full ownership of their buildings and continue to receive the rent generated from the new lease. The council’s role is essentially that of a facilitator, stepping in to find a viable tenant when the market has failed to do so for an extended period.
Addressing the borough’s highest commercial vacancy rate
Caledonian Road’s high vacancy rate has made it a priority for the council’s “Make it Happen for Islington” initiative. The concentration of empty units has been identified as a factor that holds back the growth of existing local businesses and diminishes the sense of safety and vibrancy in the area.
Cllr Una O’Halloran, Leader of Islington Council, emphasized that the action is a practical step toward supporting the people who rely on the high street. “Bringing long-term empty units back into use will help boost footfall, support local traders, and create a safer, more vibrant high street,” O’Halloran stated. She noted that the current state of Caledonian Road prevents the community from reaching its full economic potential.
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Consultation Period | 28 Days |
| Caledonian Road Vacancy Rate | 17.5% |
| Islington Borough Average | ~8.75% |
| Eligible Property Criteria | Empty for more than 12 months |
High Street Rental Auction process and landlord rights
The proposed designation area along Caledonian Road includes two specific ‘Local Shopping Areas’. These are considered vital economic hubs for both residents and small business owners. By designating these as a single, continuous high-street area, the council ensures that all eligible premises fall under the same regulatory umbrella.
Before any auction takes place, the council is required to work with landlords to find a solution. The HSRA powers are considered a measure of last resort, to be used only after repeated efforts to secure a tenant have failed. If a lease is successfully auctioned, the new tenant will be able to move in and begin trading, providing an immediate boost to the immediate vicinity’s commercial health.
Public consultation and next steps for the Cally
The council has opened a 28-day window for residents, business owners, and community groups to provide feedback on the proposed boundaries and the implementation of these powers. No final decisions have been made regarding individual properties; the current phase is focused on the legal designation of the area where the powers could apply.
Feedback can be submitted through the council’s official engagement portal at the Let’s Talk Islington website. For those who prefer physical documentation, paper copies of the survey and related plans are available at the Jean Stokes Community Centre.
Once the 28-day period concludes, the feedback will be analyzed and presented to the Council’s Executive. This body will then make the final decision on whether to formally apply HSRA powers to the Caledonian Road area. If approved, the council will begin the process of identifying specific units that meet the criteria for intervention.
Source: Islington Council
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