We are asking your views on a proposal to introduce a High Street Rental Auction (HSRA) in Caterham Valley town centre.
This is part of a new government initiative which allows councils to take action where commercial properties have been empty for a long time and landlords have not taken sufficient steps to bring them back into use.
The aim is to support a thriving town centre by bringing vacant buildings back into use to benefit local businesses, residents and visitors.
About the proposal
We are proposing to designate an area of Caterham Valley town centre where a HSRA could be used.
The proposed area includes:
- Station Avenue.
- The southern end of Croydon Road.
- The northern end of Godstone Road.
Please see the map of the proposed area.
This would allow us to act if commercial premises in the proposed area remain vacant for long periods.
The first property being considered is the former post office on Station Avenue, which has been empty for several years.
Have your say
The online consultation runs for six weeks and ends at 11.59pm on Monday 27 July 2026.
This short survey should take a few minutes to complete.
What happens next
Your feedback will help us decide whether a HSRA should be introduced. If approved, this approach could be used in other town centres in the future.
Background
What is a High Street Rental Auction?
A High Street Rental Auction is a process which allows councils to step in and help bring a vacant commercial property back into use if it has been empty for more than 12 months.
The process includes:
- Working with the landlord to encourage the property to be let.
- Serving formal notice if the property remains vacant.
- Marketing the property and inviting bids.
- Selecting a tenant through an auction process.
If successful, the property will be let and brought back into use.