BRC: 12% of town centre shops are vacant

Posted 21/07/2009

More than one in ten commercial properties in town centres are now vacant, new figures have revealed.

According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), 12 per cent of town centre shops across the UK sit unoccupied – three times more than the amount recorded last autumn.

The organisation has therefore urged local and national authorities to take measures to breathe life into commercial properties and high streets across the country.

This has included making sure that damaged property is restored quickly and that public spaces are well-maintained.

In addition, the BRC has asked the government not to impose extra property and business rate burdens on retailers.

Director general Stephen Robertson commented: “High streets are a crucial part of our national retail mix.

“Some will flourish again as the economy recovers, but that cannot be left to chance.”

Meanwhile, the Alliance Trust has stated that consumer spending in the UK is likely to remain weak for at least the remainder of the year.

Spokesperson Shona Dobbie said this is because consumers are under “significant” financial pressure.