There is more than £2.6billion investment on site or in the pipeline in the city
centre, linked to developments led by a wide range of public and private
sector partners.

The Vacant Properties Taskforce will support these schemes by working with
owners of neighbouring empty buildings to bring them back into use and
create a better environment for all.

The extra resource dedicated to the taskforce will also enable the council to
tackle empty properties in district centres like Bilston, Wednesfield and
Tettenhall.

It will build on significant regeneration work already underway by the council.
A new five-year events strategy to drive footfall, fuelled by the success of the
reopening of The Halls Wolverhampton, is in place.

Thousands of new high-quality homes are planned, creating new
neighbourhoods and customers for city centre businesses.

Grant programmes are available to support eligible businesses with
innovation, growth and transition to greener ways of working.

And the city is becoming better connected through the development of a
sustainable, inclusive low carbon transport network and the continuing
acceleration of full fibre roll-out and mobile connectivity as part of a digital
drive.

Council Leader, Councillor Stephen Simkins, said: “We understand the
difficulties that city centres and businesses face in these challenging
economic times.

“This council will continue to do everything in its power to drive footfall and
ensure we have thriving city and district centres.

“Therefore, my administration is launching this new taskforce to tackle
dishevelled, vacant commercial properties, left by landlords to blight our high
streets.

“The benefits of reusing empty buildings and developing vacant sites are
considerable, including the provision of new jobs and homes. It helps attract investment to an area, lifts its character and appearance, reduces anti-social behaviour and can help boost the wellbeing of residents, workers and visitors.

“The Vacant Properties Taskforce will have a mandate to monitor these
buildings, ensure they are well maintained as a minimum, and look to bring
some important and iconic properties back into use.”

Cherry Shine, Wolverhampton Business Improvement District (BID) Managing
Director, added: “We welcome the new proactive approach the council is
taking to encourage owners of vacant premises to properly maintain them and
actively bring properties back into use.

“We have seen lots of investment in our city centre, it’s only fair that those not
taking full responsibility for properties in their ownership are identified and
supported in bringing their premises into a good state of repair and ultimately
back into use, we look forward to seeing the results.”

The taskforce will expand on existing work by the council that has seen
numerous sites across the city tidied up and developed for similar or
alternative uses.

It will focus on proactive engagement with owners, offering free planning,
investment and business support advice.

Owners of untidy land and buildings will be required to properly maintain their
property.

If owners are unresponsive, the council will utilise the enforcement powers it
holds.

For contacts and advice on vacant properties, please visit
https://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/planning/vacant-properties-taskforce