High street rental auctions

The Council must undertake several steps before being able to auction off an empty commercial unit including:

• a 28 day public consultation
• satisfying the property conditions
• Mayor and Cabinet approval for designation
• notices to landlords (roughly 8-12 weeks)
• auction process can begin (minimum 8 week period)

Forest Hill District Centre

Lewisham Council has designated Forest Hill as a high street rental auction location following approval from Mayor and Cabinet on Wednesday 21 January 2026. 

Lewisham Council is looking to gain expressions of interest for several units in Forest Hill which we are expecting to become available through the high street rental auction process. By registering your interest now, you ensure that your business is considered if these units do become available.

There is also the possibility that, if the high street rental auction process is not pursued, expressions of interest will be passed on to the landlords of these units. We cannot be certain that these properties will become available and submitting an expression of interest does not guarantee you will gain a premises.

The units we are anticipating will be available are:

• Unit A: a unit on Dartmouth Road suitable for hospitality - estimated rent of £875 per month, subject to a minimum annual rent increase of 2.5%; business rates would be £15,250 per annum
• Unit B: a large multi-use space also on Dartmouth Road - estimated rent of £1500 per month, subject to a minimum annual rent increase of 2.5%; business rates would be £25,750 per annum
• Unit C: a unit on London Road suitable for small retail or beauty uses - estimated rate would be £500 per month, subject to a minimum annual rent increase of 2.5% per annum, business rates would be £7000 per annum

Units would be let in good condition, but businesses will likely have to carry out some work to adapt them to their specific purposes.

If you're interested in any of these units, please email business@lewisham.gov.uk.

State which of the units you would be interested in and attach a business plan which covers:

• the turnover you would need to be able to afford rent and business rates on the property
• how you intend to reach this turnover
• information about your track record (for example, time operating, historic turnover and business growth)

It is essential that you submit a business plan when registering your interest as it is important for us to be able to assess the viability of your business taking on a unit.

For any further information on high street rental auction, please email us at the address above.