The proposed 18-month lease will enable the High Street Accelerator Town Partnership, in association with the Council, to introduce a new business to the High Street, enhancing the retail mix and supporting a new or growing business. The High Street Accelerator Town Partnership is made up of local stakeholders from town centre businesses, community voluntary services, Harwich Town Council and the Harwich Society, having been formed to decide on the projects undertaken with the High Street Accelerator (HSA) grant.
Taking on the lease would also allow The Town Partnership to set a design precedent for shop fronts, contributing to the overall visual improvement of the High Street. The works to the shop front will be funded within the £30,000 budget allocated to this project from the High Street Accelerator (HSA) Grant.
This project forms part of the High Street Accelerator (HSA) program which aims to support the regeneration of Dovercourt town centre through targeted interventions and responds directly to community feedback and identified needs and can be funded from the Year 2 High Street Accelerator Grant of £187k.
Two months prior to the expiry of the lease, it will be for the Freeholder to decide if it wishes to grant a new lease to the new start-up business. If so, upon expiry of the 18-month lease the Council will not request a new lease of the Property and this project will deemed to be completed.
If the business is unsuccessful, the Council will either open the opportunity up to a reserve business or offer the premises for community use until the end date of the lease.
The Economic Growth Team at the Council will monitor that the terms of the lease are complied with, by the Council and the new start-up business, through its licence.

To approve the completion of an 18-month lease for a retail unit on Dovercourt High Street as part of the High Street Accelerator programme and to grant a licence to occupy for a term of 12 months to a start-up business and should it be required, authorises the Property

Option 1 - Not to proceed with the retail unit lease and instead return to MHCLG
Option 2 - Redirect HSA funding toward physical improvements to Dovercourt High Street.
Taking on a shop lease was the favoured option as consultation carried out in August 2024 highlighted that improving the retail offer was essential, as the current limited retail options were identified as one of the top detractions to visiting the High Street