Council leader Millie Earl said the figures, largely driven by the High Street Rental Auction scheme, showed "real confidence in our town centre." Under the scheme, councils can auction leases of persistently vacant commercial properties to new tenants for up to five years when landlords are uncooperative. The council says Bournemouth town centre's occupancy rate is above the national average, with fewer empty units than many other centres. (Image: A Millard/ BCP Council)Cllr Earl said the council targeted independent firms over big chains, writing to businesses expanding elsewhere. Mr Dunn said Poole's Dolphin Centre had "real potential" but council-owned infrastructure, including car park lifts, needed investment.