Meeting of the Parliament 18 March 2026 [Draft]
That is definitely an issue of concern to us. We have looked at a number of different options to try to resolve the issue of empty properties, which is largely driven by a change in trading conditions and the fact that people are increasingly choosing to shop online rather than locally.
Back in 2025, we consulted on permitted development rights and compulsory purchase reform—key issues that have an impact on town centre regeneration and, more importantly, the reuse of vacant and unused buildings. We are currently analysing the responses to inform next steps, and that analysis will be published in due course.
We can learn from examples where councils have taken alternative approaches. In Aberdeen, the council and the local business improvement district have led award-winning work to bring upper-floor premises on Union Street back into use.
I mentioned in my opening answer the different reliefs that we have available—the fresh start and business growth accelerator reliefs—which specifically give non-domestic rates relief for tenants or owners who are purchasing or moving into properties that were previously unused.