Wiltshire Council is waiting for further guidance from the government on sweeping new powers to breathe life into the county’s High Streets.

New regulations come into force on Monday, December 2, that will allow councils across the country to transform high streets by putting leases on long-term empty shops up for auction.

The High Street Rental Auctions (HSRAs) will allow local authority leaders to tackle persistently vacant properties in city, town and village centres.

This will boost the high street through a ‘right to rent’ commercial lots auction for businesses and community groups.

The move will stop disengaged landlords from sitting on empty properties for more than 365 days in a 24-month period, before councils can step in and auction a one-to-five year lease.

Before putting a property to a rental auction, a local authority must first seek to resolve the vacancy by engaging with the landlord.

Wiltshire Council leader Richard Clewer said: “The government has said they will be providing further information on these powers in due course, and we await that guidance.

“Wiltshire Council is committed to supporting local businesses, enhancing town centres and driving economic growth as part of our Business Plan, and that's why we have already been active in bringing vacant properties back into use through our Wiltshire Towns Programme, a £1 million investment each year for four years that seeks to transform Wiltshire's high streets.

“As part of the Wiltshire Towns Programme, our Vibrant Wiltshire grant programme supported business owners to bring vacant units in town centres back into use, either on a temporary or permanent basis, with grants ranging from £1,000 to a maximum of £10,0000.

“Sixty-one grants have been approved across Wiltshire, including in Bradford on Avon, Calne, Chippenham, Devizes, Downton, Malmesbury, Marlborough, Melksham, Pewsey, Royal Wootton Bassett, Salisbury, Trowbridge, Warminster, Westbury and Wilton.

“So far, 32 previously vacant units have reopened and are already operational, including Midsummer Olives in Melksham, Central Bark Dog Grooming in Pewsey, Daliz and Son Ltd clothing in Salisbury, and the Chippenham Community Hub.”

For businesses seeking further support, Wiltshire Council is also offering The Fit For Start Up support programme, through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This offers fully funded one-to-one business advice, skills training and grants to anyone thinking of starting a business in the Wiltshire Council area.

“Grants range from £1,500 - £20,000, and we would encourage new businesses to engage with the programme for further support,” Cllr Clewer added.

“Support for other business needs, including rural businesses, are also available through the Swindon and Wiltshire Growth Hub (BusinessFitForFuture | GrowthHub).”