Empty shops in Gloucester city centre could soon be brought back into use, through a scheme which enables councils to auction vacant retail properties for rent. 'Bringing these empty units back into use is vital to transforming the look and feel of the city centre for both visitors and residents alike.' 'By approaching the problem from both sides, it should be possible to kick start the regeneration of the city centre and breathe life back into our retail offering.' He said: 'When I’m out talking to constituents on the doorstep the state of Gloucester city centre comes up time and again, with people in areas of the city like Quedgeley telling me they haven’t been into the city centre for years. 'These business owners need our support; and they need Gloucester City Council to do more to ensure the city centre is somewhere people want to visit, to spend their time and hard-earned money.'