MP urges council to use new powers to boost shops

Dudley’s MP Sonia Kumar is urging the council to use new legal powers to revitalise the town’s high streets.

Ms Kumar recently met with Alex Norris MP, parliamentary under-secretary of state for local growth,  to discuss empty shops.

Ms Kumar says the council should sign up to the High Street Rental Auctions scheme, which gives local authorities the power to sell leases for up to five years on vacant high street properties and provide cash from Westminster to refurbish premises.

In an open letter to Dudley Council’s leader, Cllr Patrick Harley, Ms Kumar said: “This initiative offers us a powerful opportunity to tackle the persistent issue of empty shops in Dudley High Street and breathe new life into our town centre.

“I have grown increasingly concerned by the lack of visible progress or urgency from Dudley Council. Dudley deserves a vibrant, welcoming high street that reflects the pride and potential of our community.

“I remain committed to working with you and your colleagues to make this vision a reality. But I must also be clear: inaction is not an option.”

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said: “Although there are no plans to take advantage of this scheme at this stage, we are very firmly committed to an ongoing programme of regeneration to improve Dudley town centre.

“We’re on the home straight in terms of the interchange and the metro which will revolutionise transport in Dudley. These will be up and running next year and more projects will fall into place around them.

“We’ll be reinstating the blocked paving, introducing new furniture and generally making the gateway to Dudley town centre and Market Place feel really appealing.”

Speaking after his meeting with Ms Kumar, Alex Norris said: “We’re giving councils the tools they need to take back control of their high streets. 

“By unlocking empty shops and giving local people the opportunity to bring them back into use, we’re helping to create vibrant town centres that communities can be proud of.” 

Nationally the future of high streets looks uncertain as online shopping continues to lure people away from town centres.

According to The Centre for Retail Research there were a total of 13,649 store closures in the UK in 2024 with 11,341 of those being independent stores.

The centre’s forecast for 2025 is worse with a predicted 17,349 closures set to cost 201,953 jobs.