Purpose

The proposed 18-month lease will enable the
High Street Accelerator Town Partnership, in association with the
Council, to introduce a new business to the High Street, enhancing
the retail mix and supporting a new or growing business. The High
Street Accelerator Town Partnership is made up of local
stakeholders from town centre businesses, community voluntary
services, Harwich Town Council and the Harwich Society, having been
formed to decide on the projects undertaken with the High Street
Accelerator (HSA) grant.
Taking on the lease would also allow The Town Partnership to set a
design precedent for shop fronts, contributing to the overall
visual improvement of the High Street. The works to the shop front
will be funded within the £30,000 budget allocated to this
project from the High Street Accelerator (HSA) Grant.
This project forms part of the High Street Accelerator (HSA)
program which aims to support the regeneration of Dovercourt town
centre through targeted interventions and responds directly to
community feedback and identified needs and can be funded from the
Year 2 High Street Accelerator Grant of £187k.
Two months prior to the expiry of the lease, it will be for the
Freeholder to decide if it wishes to grant a new lease to the new
start-up business. If so, upon expiry of the 18-month lease the
Council will not request a new lease of the Property and this
project will deemed to be completed.
If the business is unsuccessful, the Council will either open the
opportunity up to a reserve business or offer the premises for
community use until the end date of the lease.
The Economic Growth Team at the Council will monitor that the terms
of the lease are complied with, by the Council and the new start-up
business, through its licence.

Content

To approve the completion of an 18-month lease
for a retail unit on Dovercourt High Street as part of the High
Street Accelerator programme and to grant a licence to occupy for a
term of 12 months to a start-up business and should it be required,
authorises the Property

Alternative options considered

Option 1 - Not to proceed with the retail unit
lease and instead return to MHCLG
Option 2 - Redirect HSA funding toward physical improvements to
Dovercourt High Street.
Taking on a shop lease was the favoured option as consultation
carried out in August 2024 highlighted that improving the retail
offer was essential, as the current limited retail options were
identified as one of the top detractions to visiting the High
Street