‘Promising’ year ahead for shop vacancy rates

Britain’s shop vacancy rate dropped to 13.2% in December while the overall retail and leisure vacancy rate remained at 11.8%, according to the latest figures. 

Analysis of vacancy rates by occupation type by the Local Data Company showed that leisure vacancy in December was 7.8%, and all (Retail and Leisure) vacancy rate was 11.8%.

Matthew Hopkinson, director at the Local Data Company, said: “December’s vacancy figures, whilst showing a marginal decline in empty shops, are not showing any significant movement. The decline in the shop vacancy rate is as a result of temporary lets and pop-up shops during the Christmas period.

“A promising year lies ahead in that 2014 showed the symbiotic relationship between bricks and clicks, and that physical shopping and collection is alive and well. With low inflation and an uptick in wage growth, 2015 has the potential to see the vacancy rate fall further from its peak of 14.6% in 2012.”