Owners of long-empty high-street units could pay less in property charges if they let them to independent traders, under a scheme announced by the Kestrel Quay development board.
The discount would apply for three years and end if a unit is let to a national chain. The board estimates about 60 units in the town centre have been vacant for more than a year.
Landlord groups welcomed the principle but asked for the discount to apply to short-term pop-up lets as well. Retail campaigners said the rule on chains was the part that would decide whether the scheme changed anything.
