Whitehaven's absentee landlords urged to 'invest or sell up'

Why would they? They think it’s more profitable to sit on the inflating empty shop assets until they get compulsory purchased or auctioned. No government dares scare the speculator owners by even slightly devaluing empty property directly.

Heavily tax the things you don’t want.

Impose a significant vacant storefront tax to incentivize reducing leasing costs for brick and mortar stores, or selling the building for more productive use.

Put a fat tax on empty buildings and flats.

If the tax is not paid and a certain amount of debt is accumulated, auction it off.