Recommendation 80

Local authorities can, for example, own or take over units and shopping centres within their high streets to let out or host public services. Through this, a local authority can curate the mix of businesses and services in the town centre on a larger scale. We also heard that local authorities could take over the tenancies for vacant properties and sublet them where the landlords are unwilling to risk directly leasing to independent shops or startups. 156 Local authorities may also have businesses on a high street which pay levies to a BID or are directly involved in establishing a BID. Local authorities currently operate 82 per cent of local markets. 157 Additionally, councillors are members of, and representatives for, the local community. All these activities give local authorities a vested interest in the success of, and active role in supporting, a high street in a similar way to those experienced by private businesses.