Margate – Old Town – SCOPIX
Margate and Ramsgate hosted senior government officials on Wednesday 29 July, showcasing how Thanet is leading the nation in tackling long-term empty shops.
Delegates from the Ministry of Housing and the Department for Business visited to see the council’s trailblazing use of High Street Rental Auctions (HSRA). Under these new powers, local authorities can auction off leases for long-abandoned commercial properties to local entrepreneurs, independent traders, and community groups across Margate, Cliftonville, and Ramsgate.
The visit included town centre walking tours and joint discussions with Kent Police on how filling shuttered shops boosts community safety, restores pride, and drives footfall.
Cllr Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Growth, praised the scheme for giving local talent a chance to secure high street spaces while giving town centres a well-deserved lift. Things are already moving at pace: Thanet District Council has issued formal statutory notices for nine vacant properties, with lease auctions coming up next.
Landlords, business owners, and residents can check out maps, FAQs, and auction alerts on the council website. Landlords wanting to put a property forward can email hsrentals@thanet.gov.uk.