Councillors set to receive update on High Street Rental Auction powers

07 September 2026

North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive will receive a report at a meeting next week on a programme designed to bring empty high street properties back into use.

The council is one of 11 ‘Early Adopters’ of the High Street Rental Auctions (HSRA) Programme and, following public consultation earlier this year and an engagement exercise in Autumn 2025, is proposing to designate a HSRA area within Wellingborough town centre.

The HSRA programme is designed to reduce long-term vacancy rates by providing local authorities with powers to support the occupation of persistently vacant commercial premises where other approaches have not successfully secured a tenant. 

To reach this point, assessment work has been undertaken across 4 towns across North Northamptonshire. This work showed Wellingborough town has the highest percentage of vacant premises which fulfil the stated government guidelines, making it the most appropriate location for the pilot phase of the programme. This assessment work was followed by a public consultation.

The consultation received 60 responses with 87.9% of respondents supporting the proposals. Councillors will now consider the outcome of the consultation, alongside an earlier engagement exercise, before deciding whether to designate an area of Wellingborough town centre for the pilot.

If the report is approved, the council will identify eligible premises, assess whether the required conditions are met, gather property information, engage with landlords and undertake surveys where necessary. Designating an area of Wellingborough for HSRA powers would align with the council’s wider regeneration plans and complements the recently approved Wellingborough Masterplan. 

The approval of the Wellingborough Masterplan has provided a clear long-term vision for the town centre and its future growth. If the report is approved by Councillors next week, this will give us an additional tool to tackle long-term vacancy and help bring empty premises back into productive use. The results of the recent consultation demonstrates strong support for this proposal, with respondents recognising the need to address vacant premises, encourage investment and improve the overall vitality of the town centre. We continue to support and explore opportunities for our evolving town centres across North Northants.”Cllr Jan O’Hara, the council’s Executive Member for Planning and Economic Growth

Town centres are at the heart of communities, providing civic and economic hubs for residents, families and visitors. Local town centres deserve our support in regenerating areas and that is why our involvement in programmes like this are so important.Cllr Martin Griffiths, Leader of the Council

North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive will meet on Tuesday 15 September at the Corby Cube and the papers are online. The meeting will be livestreamed on YouTube.