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High street remains empty while new shops are built

One in seven shops remain empty continue to lie empty whilst more shops are built and leisure units take the lead in growth rates.

Research carried out by the Local Data Company shows that while the average number of vacant shops in a town has remained stable at 14.1%, there has been a 0.3% growth in new units.

Matthew Hopkinson, director at the Local Data Company commented: “This report clearly shows that whilst the rise of empty shops has stalled it still remains stubbornly high for many towns up and down the country.

“Since August 2010 the national average has been above 14%, with a significant number being ‘long term sick’ with little or no prospect of reoccupation as shops. In the top 650 town centres alone these empty shops equate to 23 Sheffield city centres being devoid of any trading shops or leisure businesses.To add to this problem a further 403 shop units have been added to town centre shop stocks in the first half of 2013 (+0.3%).

“Demolition or alternative use is the only option for the vast majority of these ‘surplus to requirement’ shops. To that end restaurants, bars, cafes and even betting shops have come to the rescue as the growth of leisure takes off in our town centres.

“Subject to planning, they will be able to absorb some but not all of this excess stock, which is forecast to increase. Leisure uses have grown at three times the rate of shops in the first half of this year. This is an increase of over 500 units in the first half of 2013 (+0.9%).”

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