Mayor Jason Perry has challenged Croydon’s Labour MPs over a misleading campaign on empty shops in South Norwood, after it emerged that the Council had already been working with the Government on High Street Rental Auctions before their petition was launched.
Sarah Jones MP and Natasha Irons MP published social media videos and launched a petition on 17 August calling for action on vacant shops in South Norwood High Street and Portland Road.
However, Council officers had already begun discussions with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in July about using High Street Rental Auction powers to bring empty commercial properties back into use.
Officials followed up with the Department in August to ask how a newly announced national funding package would be allocated, whether Councils would need to bid for support and when the money would become available.
The Government was unable to answer any of those questions.
In its response to the Council, the Department admitted that it was “not yet in a position to confirm allocation mechanisms, whether there will be a formal bidding process, or precise timescales”.
The previous funding round had already closed in January 2026. Despite announcing funding, the Government had not provided Councils with the practical information needed to access it.
Mayor Perry has now written to both MPs setting out the facts and asking them to give residents an accurate account of the situation.
Mayor Jason Perry said:
“South Norwood High Street and Portland Road deserve investment, thriving businesses and fewer empty shops. That is why my Administration was already exploring High Street Rental Auctions with the Government before this petition was launched.
“Sarah Jones and Natasha Irons gave residents the impression that the Council was failing to act. The reality is that our officers were already speaking to their own Government, which could not tell us how much funding would be available, how Councils could apply for it or when it would arrive.
“I would hope that neither MP deliberately set out to mislead residents. If they had checked the facts with the Council before launching their campaign, however, they would have known that work was already underway.
“Announcing funding without explaining how Councils can access it, and then attacking a Council for not using it, is government by press release.
“Residents and businesses deserve serious work to bring empty shops back into use, not partisan campaigns which ignore what is actually happening. My Administration will continue working with the Government and local partners to secure the support South Norwood needs.”
High Street Rental Auctions give Councils powers to help bring persistently vacant commercial properties back into use. They can ultimately allow a Council to arrange an auction for the rental rights to a property which has been empty for a prolonged period.
Mayor Perry has made clear that Croydon Council remains willing to use every practical tool available to support local high streets, but that the Government must now provide clarity on its funding announcement.
