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Shop vacancies fall slightly

Shop vacancies have decreased to 14.54% in July, according to figures from the Local Data Company.

The LDC’s monthly barometer of shop vacancy decreased by 0.03% in July, although experts have warned the disparity between some town centres is growing.

Matthew Hopkinson, director at the Local Data Company commented: “July’s marginal reduction in shop vacancy further reflects a picture of stability in vacancy rates of around 14.5%. Recent economic and consumer news has been mixed so how this trend manifests itself in future months is a difficult one to predict.

“At a more granular level the reality is more interesting with the best analogy being that of a duck gliding along the surface of Eton Dorney yet its legs are going in all directions. This frenetic activity below the water reflects the widening differences that exist between many town centres. Whilst some towns are getting stronger, a number continue to weaken and at best case show no sign of improvement.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .