High Street Rental Auctions

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is consulting on proposals to designate defined areas in Stratford-upon-Avon, Alcester and Southam as high streets for the purposes of the High Street Rental Auction (HSRA) legislation. High Street Rental Auctions are a power introduced through Part 10 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023. They allow a local authority, after following the required statutory process, to arrange the rental of certain persistently vacant commercial premises within a designated high street or town centre.

A property must meet the relevant legal tests, including having been unoccupied for at least 12 months, or for at least 366 days during the previous two years. The aim is to encourage owners and other interested parties to bring long-term vacant premises back into productive use, support local businesses and communities, and help town centres remain active and attractive.

Designating an area does not mean that every vacant property will be subject to an auction. Each case would be considered individually against the legislation, guidance and local circumstances.

What the Council is doing

Vacancies Register - The Council has been monitoring vacancies in high Streets in Stratford-upon-Avon, Alcester and Southam since October 2024. These vacancies have been recorded in a register, and the current vacant properties are available to view below.

This register is the base for identifying long term vacant properties, although other sources are used as well.

Vacancies register: High Street Vacancies

High Street Rental Auction proposed designated area consultation - On 7 September 2026, the Council's Cabinet considered a report on enabling HSRA powers. Cabinet approved consultation on the proposed designation of areas in Stratford-upon-Avon, Alcester and Southam. It also supported the creation of an interdepartmental delivery group and authorised the Head of Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economic Development, to adopt appropriate designated areas following consultation and to approve vacancies for possible HSRA action.

Consultation on High Street Rental Auctions

These consultations seek views on the proposed boundaries in each town. Select a town to see the proposed area, view the map and respond online:

Alcester proposed HSRA area consultation HSRA Consultation - Alcester
Stratford-upon-Avon proposed HSRA area consultation HSRA Consultation - Stratford-upon-Avon
Southam proposed HSRA area consultation HSRA Consultation - Southam

After the consultation closes, the Council will consider all responses and decide whether the proposed areas should be adopted, amended or not taken forward. If an area is designated, this will enable the Council to consider using HSRA powers for eligible premises within that boundary.