High Street Rental Auctions - Bishop Auckland

Many shops and business units in Bishop Auckland have been empty for a long time. County Durham, like many places, has high retail vacancy rates—well above the national average in some towns. Empty properties can lead to more antisocial behaviour and missed economic opportunities.

As part of our current work in creating a strategic place plan for Bishop Auckland we are listening to what you are telling us, and we want to do more to make our town centres more vibrant and welcoming for everyone.

Current retail and business support

As part of our continued approach, we proactively work with landlords where commercial properties they have fallen vacant. We help them to bring them back into use as we continue to support new businesses and community groups, and improve the vibrancy and safety of town centres.

You can find out more about the work we currently do with businesses at Retail, hospitality and leisure business support.

The HSRA Scheme

Where all other avenues have been exhausted, the High Street Rental Auctions (HSRA) scheme gives councils the power to auction leases (for up to five years) on properties that have been empty for at least 12 months, but only after efforts to work with landlords have failed. This scheme was set up to directly tackle the problem of long-term vacant shops and commercial properties in town centres, which harm the appearance, economy, and community life of these areas.

The pilot schemes

We will pilot the HSRA scheme in Bishop Auckland and Stanley, with the potential to expand to other towns, if successful.

Currently we are contacting the landlords of commercial properties in Bishop Auckland within our proposed town centre boundary area to discuss how we can support them to bring the properties back into use and notify them of our decision to undertake this pilot scheme in Bishop Auckland which may place their property within the boundary area.

If discussions with the landlords prove ultimately unsuccessful, we will use our new powers to auction leases on long-term empty properties, that fall within the agreed boundary area, to provide spaces for new businesses and community groups for up to five years.

As part of this pilot scheme we need your feedback on the proposed boundaries for the scheme in Bishop Auckland town centre. Your views will help us decide exactly which areas should be included.

Proposed boundary area

Below is a map showing the proposed boundary area where the HSRA scheme will be in force. The area covers Fore Bondgate, Victoria Street, Newgate Street and Market Place.

The deadline for comments was 23 November 2025.

If you need this in another format contact letstalkcountydurham@durham.gov.uk