Purpose

To seek approval from Cabinet to designate the
area in Bournemouth town centre for the High Street Rental Auction
(HSRA) Programme.

Content

RESOLVED that: -

(a)         
Cabinet approved the designation of the HSRA area
for Bournemouth town centre (see map in paragraph 4);
and

(b)         
Cabinet agreed to delegate approval to the Chief
Operations Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for
Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations to consider future
designated areas or HSRAs subject to adhering to the consultation
requirements.
Portfolio Holder:
Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations
Voting:
Unanimous
Reasons

(a)         
The Pre-HSRA work as defined by MHCLG
requires the Local Authority to designate the high street before
any auction notice can be served.

(b)         
The recent HSRA public consultation on the proposed designated area
resulted in an overall favourability of 75% when asked ‘Do
you agree or disagree with the proposed area, shown in the
map.’?

(c)         
The HSRA programme supports the council’s Corporate
Strategy:

                   
i.             
Revitalising and reinventing high streets and local centres

(d)         
The HSRA programme supports the council’s High Street and
District Centre Strategy:

(e)         
Reimagining High Streets

(f)           
Encouraging local investment

(g)         
Transforming empty buildings

(h)         
Improving the public realm

(i)           
Celebrating pride in local communities

(j)           
Supporting high street businesses

(k)         
Although the vacancy rate by unit in Bournemouth town centre is
roughly in line with national averages at 20%, there is clearly a
great potential for HSRAs to engage landlords to fill those vacant
units.

(l)           
Bournemouth town centre continues to generate positive headlines,
with examples including the successful openings of The Ivy and The
Botanist, the collaborative Citizens’ Panel, and the ongoing
transformation of Bobby’s, among other initiatives.
Introducing HSRAs will build on this momentum and further
revitalise the area.