William Eichler 23 April 2025

Mayor urged to take over vacant shops to revitalise high streets

Mayor urged to take over vacant shops to revitalise high streets  image
© Baloncici / Shutterstock.com.

The Mayor of London has been urged to provide more ‘financial and practical’ support to help drive high street regeneration across the capital.

The London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee called on Mayor Sadiq Khan to use his new powers introduced by High Street Rental Auctions (HSRAs) to take over the leases of vacant units and to help community groups to use them.

The committee also said the Mayor should build on lessons from the Community Improvement Districts pilot to create an online engagement platform for residents to have a say in high street regeneration projects in London.

The committee’s report, titled At a crossroads: London’s high streets, also details how art can help revitalise high streets and called for the development of an Art on the High Street programme to commission public art installations.

Marina Ahmad AM, chair of the London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee, said: ‘Improving high streets will entice more people to spend money in their communities, helping to boost London’s economy and create spaces that are fit for purpose. We urge the Mayor to take on board our recommendations.’

 

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