Status: Current
Rother District Council is asking what you think about High Street Rental Auctions (HSRA). HSRA is a legal power that councils can choose to use to help bring some long-empty shops and other business properties back into use. It’s a fairly new scheme in its early days across the country. This consultation opens on 23 October and closes on 27 November 2026.
If the Council used HSRA, it could require the landlord of a suitable property to offer it for rent through an auction. Businesses and community groups could bid to rent the property. This would not mean buying the building.
HSRA would not apply to every empty property. A property must meet legal rules, including how long it has been empty. The Council would also need to check that it is suitable. Surveys or building work may be needed before it could be rented.
This survey does not necessarily mean HSRA will go ahead. The Council is at an early stage and has not decided whether to use these powers. Your answers will help councillors understand local views. They will consider these views alongside the costs, risks and experience of other councils before making any future decision.
The HSRA process can take a long time and needs legal, property and Council staff work. A small amount of Government funding is available for each auction, but it may not cover the full cost. If the Council chose to use HSRA, it would be likely to apply to only a small number of suitable properties. An auction may not always find a tenant, and some bigger buildings may not be suitable for the scheme.
HSRA is only one way to tackle empty high-street properties. Other work could include speaking with landlords, supporting local businesses, improving buildings and public spaces, holding events, and encouraging more people to visit the town centre.
We are currently considering the streets to be included as Bexhill’s town centre, for a possible designated area for potential use of HSRA powers. This map highlights the proposed streets.
If you cannot open the map. We are including London Road from the A259 up to Town Hall Square. Also included are Station Road and Buckhurst Road. Wickham Avenue is included from Sackville Road to Egerton Park. All roads are included that are inside the square made up of Sackville Road, West Parade, Sea Road up to Station Road and south of the railway line.
You can read more background material at agenda item CB25/24 – Agenda for Cabinet on Monday 14th September 2026, 6.30 pm – Rother District Council
Please tell us what you think about HSRA, the proposed Bexhill town centre area and other ways to support the high streets.
Survey responses alone will not decide what happens next, but your answers will be part of the picture alongside Government funding plans and the experience of other Councils. What you tell us will be reported to the councillors at a future meeting of the council’s Cabinet.
We will update this website with specific dates and any other news.
How to take part
Please answer our online survey – https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/RentalAuctions/
If you have any questions please email: consultations@rother.gov.uk
Write to:
High Street Rental Actions Consultation
Rother District Council
Town Hall
Town Hall Square
Bexhill-on-Sea
TN39 3JX
Large print versions, translations and other formats are available on request. Please email consultations@rother.gov.uk
This consultation closes on 16 November 2026.
