NEW powers which the council can use to ensure that long-term vacant properties in Barnsley are rented out are set to be approved at a meeting next week - and the Chronicle understands they could be used to help encourage owners to bring the empty M and S building back into use.
‘High Street Rental Auctions’ were originally introduced back in December 2024 as part of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023.
The powers give local councils the authority to require landlords to rent out persistently vacant commercial properties to new tenants, such as local businesses or community groups.
Councils must first designate areas within a high street or town centre with suitable premises which can be used in the rental auctions.
The proposed areas for Barnsley are Market Street - from Wellington Street to Queen Street - Peel Street and Shambles Street in the town centre, High Street and Station Road in Wombwell, and Doncaster Road in Goldthorpe.
The Queen Street M and S building has been standing empty for more than two years since the chain moved out, ending a near 90-year presence in the town centre.
The high street favourite opened in Barnsley 1937 but said that changing shopping habits and increasing cost pressures had forced its closure.
It subsequently opened a food unit at Peel Retail Park, on Harborough Hill Road but no-one has yet moved into the town centre store.
The Chronicle understands that these new powers could encourage the landlords of the M and S building to bring in a new tenant.
A report, set to be discussed by cabinet members on Wednesday, states that there are more than 50 vacant units in the town centre.
It added: “Barnsley town centre has a vacancy rate of ten per cent, lower than the regional average, with 56 vacant units (Q2 25/26).
“However, there are clusters of persistent vacancy.
” Wombwell has a vacancy rate of eight per cent, lower than Barnsley town centre and the regional average with 13 vacant units (Q2 25/26).
“High Street has a small cluster in the Burton Building, and Station Road has a cluster of three vacant units.
“Goldthorpe has a vacancy rate of 18 per cent, higher than the regional average, with 28 vacant units (Q3 24/25).
“Doncaster Road has a cluster of 14 vacant units.
“Spatially, Goldthorpe has the longest high street per square metre and comparatively has the lowest footfall of the six Principal Towns.”
A vacancy and local benefit test must also be met to demonstrate that bringing the space back into use would support the local economy, community or environment.
If these proposals are approved by cabinet, a four-week engagement period will be held to gather feedback from residents, businesses and landlords.
Coun Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “One of the missions in our Inclusive Economic Growth Strategy is to empower all of our communities to thrive.
“The High Street Rental Auctions will allow us to do this by targeting areas in the borough which we know to have the highest levels of unoccupied spaces and bringing them back into use.
“Allowing local businesses and community groups to access these persistently vacant spaces will breathe new life into our high streets, which are the beating heart of our communities.
“This work, along with our ongoing Pride in Place and Principal Towns programmes, will help to support economic, social, and environmental wellbeing in urban centres across the borough.”
