Islington Council to explore High Street Rental Auction powers

3 July 2026

Islington Council is set to explore the use of High Street Rental Auction powers to help bring empty shops on Caledonian Road back into use, following a recent council meeting.

Councillor Oliur Rahman BEM inquired about the timeline for utilising these powers during the Council meeting on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Councillor James Potts, Executive Member for Inclusive Economy and Planning, confirmed that the public consultation on the matter has concluded and that further information regarding the potential use of these powers would be shared.

The High Street Rental Auction powers are a tool that local authorities can use to address long-term vacant commercial properties. The aim is to bring these spaces back into active use, potentially offering new opportunities for residents and local businesses.

Councillor Potts indicated that more details would be forthcoming, suggesting that the council is moving forward with considering this option to revitalise the Caledonian Road high street.

Councils Involved

Islington

Meetings Involved

the Council of Islington Council on 2 July 2026

People Involved

Councillor Valerie Bossman-Quarshie Labour Party Bunhill

Councillor Rowena Champion Executive Member for Climate, Environment & Transport Labour Party Barnsbury

Councillor Sheila Chapman Executive Member for Children, Young People & Families Labour Party Junction

Councillor Jilani Chowdhury Deputy Mayor Labour Party Barnsbury

Councillor Paul Convery Executive Member for Finance Labour Party Caledonian

Councillor Fin Craig Chair of Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee Labour Party Arsenal

Councillor Joseph Croft Chair of Health & Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee Labour Party St Mary's and St James'

Councillor Troy Gallagher Chair of Audit and Risk Committee; Chair of Standards Committee; Armed Forces Champion Labour Party Bunhill

Councillor Benali Hamdache Leader of the Green Group Green Party Highbury

Councillor Ruth Hayes Executive Member for Health & Social Care; Deputy Leader of the Council Labour Party Clerkenwell

Councillor Jason Jackson Executive Member for Homes & Neighbourhoods Labour Party Holloway

Councillor Clare Jeapes Labour Party Canonbury

Councillor Martin Klute Chair of the Planning Committee Labour Party St Peter's and Canalside

Councillor Hannah McHugh Chair of Homes & Communities Scrutiny Committee Labour Party St Mary's and St James'

Councillor Shreya Nanda Chair of the Environment, Climate & Transport Scrutiny Committee Labour Party Hillrise

Councillor Michelline Safi-Ngongo Executive Member Children, Young People and Families Labour Party Hillrise

Councillor Toby North Labour Party St Peter's and Canalside

Councillor Rosaline Ogunro Mayor Labour Party St Peter's and Canalside

Councillor Una O'Halloran Leader of the Council Labour Party Caledonian

Councillor Michael O'Sullivan Labour Party Finsbury Park

Councillor Saiqa Pandor Executive Member for Communities & Partnerships Labour Party St Mary's and St James'

Councillor James Potts Executive Member for Inclusive Economy & Planning Labour Party Junction

Councillor Marian Spall Labour Party Hillrise

Councillor Heather Staff Executive Member for Community Safety & Neighbourhoods & Migrant Champion Labour Party Laycock

Councillor Nurullah Turan Chair of the Licensing Committee Labour Party Laycock

Councillor Nick Wayne Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee Labour Party Canonbury

Councillor Claire Zammit Chair of the Appointments and General Purposes Committee Labour Party Holloway

Councillor Giulio Ferrini Vice Chair of the Environment, Climate and Transport Scrutiny Committee Green Party Clerkenwell

Councillor Talia Hussain Green Party Highbury

Councillor Joe Peck Labour Party Holloway

Councillor Kiran Prasad Labour Party Bunhill

Councillor Nafisah Brown Green Party Arsenal

Councillor Maia Hamilton Labour Party Laycock

Councillor Sheridan Kates Green Party Tufnell Park

Councillor Caroline Allen Green Party Finsbury Park

Councillor Elmedina Baptista-Mendes Green Party Tollington

Councillor Hayden Banks Green Party Canonbury

Councillor Sophia Brown Green Party Mildmay

Councillor Jon Nott Green Party Highbury

Councillor Devon Osborne Green Party Tufnell Park

Councillor Carlos Valero Green Party Mildmay

Councillor Jackson Caines Green Party Mildmay

Councillor Kane Emerson Labour Party Barnsbury

Councillor Oliur Rahman Labour Party Caledonian

Councillor Jonathan Ward Green Party Tollington

Councillor Sophia Andersson-Gylden Green Party Tufnell Park

Councillor Patrick Brighty Green Party Arsenal

Councillor Jara Falkenburg Green Party Clerkenwell

Councillor Benjamin Gregg Labour Party Junction

Councillor Syreen Hassan Vice Chair of the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee Green Party Finsbury Park

Councillor Alex Nettle Green Party Tollington

Topics

Tesco Oliur Rahman BEM James Potts High Street Rental Auction powers Empty Shops Caledonian Road high street revitalization