Thanet council has issued formal statutory notices for nine vacant commercial properties on the isle under High Street Rental Auction powers.
The powers allow the council to auction leases for qualifying long-term empty business units in a bid to tackle the blight of empty shops ion the high street.
The aim is for community groups and independent businesses to be able to take on those leases for a period of between one and five years to bring vacant spaces back to life.
Landlords of the first nine properties, three each in Margate, Ramsgate and Cliftonville, had a grace period of eight weeks to find their own tenant, although they must still get the council’s permission to ensure it meets high street use rules.
Following the grace period, Thanet council has two weeks to issue a final letting notice. Once the final letting notice has been served, the auction process starts. This is expected to take 12 weeks, with marketing and bidding happening during weeks 5-10.
There will be a limited number of properties advertised on the auction platform at any one time. When granted, leases will be for a minimum of one year up to a maximum of five years.
There are three areas designated for the auction powers:
Margate
Cecil Square, Hawley Street, Herbert Place, High Street, Lombard Street, Marine Drive, Marine Gardens, Marine Terrace, Market Street, New Drive, Queen Street, The Centre and The Parade.
Cliftonville
Northdown Road
Ramsgate
Harbour Parade, Harbour Street, High Street, King Street, Queen Street and York Street
The designed areas were chosen using the historical overall vacancy rates. These are listed, for 2023/24 – 22% vacancy rate in Margate and 12.5% in Ramsgate. Vacancies were much lower in Broadstairs, at 5.8%, and Westwood at 3.9%.
For a property to be eligible it must be in an area that the council has officially designated the area as a ‘high street area’. It must have been empty for a full year in a row (12 months) or for a total of 366 days (non-continuously) over the last two years. It needs to be suitable for ‘high street use’ (i.e., not a warehouse) and there must be a local benefit with the council believing that renting it out will help the local economy, community or environment.
Eligible new uses include:
Shops or offices
Services for the public
Restaurants, bars, pubs, cafés, and other food and drink establishments
Public entertainment or recreation venues – Communal halls or meeting places
Manufacturing or industrial processes compatible with the above uses.
Thanet council became aware of the auction powers legislation when it was consulted on in 2022 and was later highlighted by the Ramsgate Space group in 2024 after the group revealed Ramsgate had some 65 empty shops- a vacancy rate of 24% – spanning from King Street up to, and including, Addington Street as well as the High Street, Harbour Street, York Street and Chatham Street.
Ramsgate Space, founded by town residents Louise Brooks and Georgina Street, has compiled a register of all vacant properties that meet the criteria on behalf of the council.
On July 29, the council welcomed senior government officials to Margate and Ramsgate high streets to show the council’s progress on the High Street Rental Auctions (HSRA) initiative.
Delegates, including representatives from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, visited Margate and Ramsgate to observe firsthand how Thanet is pioneering new powers introduced under the HSRA framework.
The visit covered Margate Old Town, High Street and The Centre and Ramsgate Space CIC, Ramsgate seafront and High Street
It included discussions with the Multi Agency Task Force and Kent Police on how town centre regeneration intersects with community safety.
Cllr Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Growth at Thanet District Council, said: “I am delighted that we had the opportunity to showcase to central government the vital work happening to revitalise Margate, Ramsgate and Cliftonville. Persistent shop vacancies have impacted our high streets for too long.
“The High Street Rental Auction scheme is about giving our local entrepreneurs, independent businesses, and community groups the opportunity to secure spaces that would otherwise sit empty. By bringing shuttered shopfronts back into active use, we are improving town centre safety, boosting the local economy, and creating places residents can feel proud to visit.”
Thanet council says that although nine final lettings notices have been served, it expects some or all of the landlords will find tenants themselves.
If properties are taken to auction some remedial work may be required before the property reaches the marketing stage.
It’s a start, but why just the main towns. As an example, the former pet shop in Westgate has been empty and rotting for well over a decade.
How do you get your picture to appear here old boy?
I’m not sure! Somehow did it via WordPress, but I can’t remember how to edit it.
Thank you. It’s a nice feature. I’ll investigate and if I can work out how it’s done I’ll do a post. I think the idea might be quite popular.
It’s a start! Not sure it will work as intended.
just face it , most of thanet is a dump ! these shops are never coming back , if they do its a short lived junk shop / charity shop / estate agents / a gimmick art shop / cafe etc. as for wilkinsons and the other big stores they are consigned to history
Why are you so miserable all the time?
We could do with more Turkish Barber shops and vape shops in Ramsgate. Let’s hope they can be encouraged under this scheme.
The main reason these are empty is because of the high rates .a small shop cost £5000 a month before council tax water electric and so on then probably wages so let’s say £8000 to £10,000 before profit . Just doesn’t happen. Westwood cross destroyed thanet towns giant supermarkets sell everything online shopping ruined it aswell .Human greed just ruined it all . Shopping was a day out meet family and friends . Still flats are the new towns residents. I personally can’t stand westwood cross avoid it as much as I can traffic from 2pm till 6 is horrific especially when schools are open . Only ourselves to blame .
The irony here is that I doubt a single person from the parties photographed here has ever owned or run a successful wealth generating business themselves. It takes a great deal more than taxpayer contributions!
The blind leading the deaf.🤡
Blimey, this equates to the council taking a dump in their own hand and stretching their arm out asking if anyone wants to buy it! They kill the high streets by allowing (legitimately of course) Westwood cross to suck the life and identity out the high streets then force landlords to rent via auction their properties to people they don’t to for prices they may not agree to so that they claim bragging rights and rates etc etc that they’ve done a good job in an area that they wilfully destroyed. Surely someone should be calling 🐂💩 on this one??
The old Wilko store in Ramsgate would be perfect for a permanent indor market.
Benefits of Converting the Former Wilko Store, Ramsgate, into an Indoor Market
Transforming the former Wilko store in Ramsgate into a covered indoor market, inspired by Oxford Covered Market and St Nicholas Market in Bristol, could create a vibrant town-centre destination that supports local businesses, increases footfall, and strengthens Ramsgate’s visitor economy.
Economic Benefits
• Creates affordable trading space for start-ups and independent retailers.
• Generates employment opportunities through market operations and business growth.
• Increases town-centre spending by attracting additional visitors.
• Reduces vacancy and improves confidence in the local high street.
Community Benefits
• Provides a year-round community hub regardless of weather.
• Supports local makers, artists, food producers, and social enterprises.
• Creates opportunities for events, workshops, and cultural activities.
Tourism and Visitor Appeal
• A distinctive indoor market can become a destination in its own right.
• Complements Ramsgate Harbour, Royal Harbour attractions, and local hospitality businesses.
• Encourages longer visitor stays and repeat visits.
Lessons from Oxford and Bristol
• Successful covered markets blend retail, food, culture, and community activities.
• A curated mix of independent traders creates a unique identity that cannot be replicated online.
• Flexible units allow businesses to grow while keeping entry costs manageable.
Potential Features
• Street food hall and local produce stalls.
• Artisan retail units.
• Pop-up spaces for seasonal traders.
• Community event area and exhibition space.
• Youth enterprise and business incubation units.
Conclusion
An indoor market offers Ramsgate an opportunity to repurpose a large vacant retail unit into a resilient mixed-use destination. By combining independent retail, food, culture, and community uses, the former Wilko store could become a catalyst for wider town-centre regeneration while creating a unique attraction for residents and visitors.
Would have to have a management firm that would guarantee the rent of the building In its entirety otherwise several small lease agreements would prove messy and problematic if one if the relents stopped paying. Otherwise it would work unless the change of usage meant the landlord has a right to refuse the auction process. It’s a tricky building, who other than a national would want it? Be great if something innovative was done with though.
Does the council get money for the lease?
I doubt the council has any rights to other than the usual HMRC taxation of a private landlords rental income, that wouldn’t make any sense, equally nor would it be liable if the tenants stopped paying or leaves the property in a worse condition than it was handed over to them, albeit that might not be possible if the property is already in a state of disrepair. The council is purely after making the area look like it’s flourishing even though they sold out Westwood cross, provide a level of identity to the area through the independents hard work and pick their pocket at the same time. Rates for medium to small businesses should be scrapped as should VAT and a whole other raft of nonsensical measures and taxes that cripple small to medium businesses and just importantly their customers. Ironically that’d generate more tax and financial fluidity. Money should not be allowed to leave the country without being taxed accordingly otherwise you end up with a system of people here with a short to medium term view of staying, earning through work or benefits that leak money elsewhere which has no local or national benefit. However if that money is taxed appropriately then whoever is entitled to do as they please.
Hopefully it all goes smoothly, and the empty premises are fully occupied by long-term tenants. Some empty shops down my way have been empty for ages. They have been and still are advertised since closure. Not so much interest, but the reasons are obvious. Some properties will be in a state of dilapidation and need more than a quick coat of Wilko emulsion.
TDC and others are using the stick method, while the carrot idea is to be helpful by offering the property owners/agents a 100% discount on all planning permissions required for change of use to housing.
Lots of footfall down my way, all the necessary shops/services are already here, catering for those on a super low budget.