OTLEY has secured new government funding to create a comprehensive vacancy register of its empty shops and commercial units, the first step in a clear plan to revitalise the town centre and keep its high street thriving.
The bid was led by Leeds City Council, with strong backing from Katie White, MP for Leeds North West, who has made bringing long-term empty shops back into use a central part of her local mission.
The new funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will allow the council and local partners to map every vacant unit in Otley, understand ownership and identify refurbishment needs, creating a clear evidence base and vacancy register to help bring more properties back into use.
It follows the successful community campaign to secure a future for the former Fultons building, which had sat empty since 2022 after years as a discount supermarket and then a Poundland. After the prominent high street site remained vacant, more than 500 local businesses and residents backed Katie White’s “Take Back Fultons” petition calling for it to be brought back into use.
Major refurbishment works are now underway, with a new business set to move in later this year.
Katie White MP said: “Otley is already a brilliant high street, full of character, independent businesses and real community spirit. What excites me is the huge opportunity we have to build on that and make it even stronger.
“Before you can unlock the next chapter for a town centre, you need a clear picture of what is really going on. This funding will help us understand which buildings are empty, who owns them, and what it will take to bring them back to life.
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“We have already seen with the Fultons campaign what happens when local people get behind a plan for their high street. My focus now is keeping that momentum going and making sure Otley’s high street continues to grow, evolve and thrive.”
The vacancy register will work alongside local businesses, landlords and community groups, creating a shared evidence base to support future funding bids and regeneration projects.
