Vacant shop units in West Norwood could be brought back into use to support new local businesses.
Lambeth Council has designated West Norwood District Centre as one of the first three areas to be included in its new High Street Rental Auctions (HSRA) programme.
The scheme aims to bring long-term empty commercial properties back into use by giving councils the power to auction persistently vacant units to new tenants on leases of between one and five years. The initiative is intended to reduce empty shops, support local entrepreneurs, and boost activity on high streets.
West Norwood joins Brixton and New Park Road as the first designated areas. The council says it will work with landlords to find voluntary solutions before using auction powers.
