News: LDC research has vacancy rates increasing in Rotherham town centre
A review of town centre vacancy in the UK by the Local Data Company has the vacancy rate in Rotherham increasing 13.7 percentage points even though over 40 shops opened in 2010.
For most centres in the UK, vacancy rates increased in 2010 and the report gives Rotherham the highest vacancy rate amongst large town centres (over 400 shops) in the survey with a rate of 28.2%.
Nationally, the survey places Rotherham as having the 12th highest vacancy rate with Sheffield's rate worked out at 26.8% and Doncaster at 24.7%.
The mid-year report published by the the Local Data Company in September had the vacancy rate in Rotherham town centre as 14.5%.
The current vacancy rate for whole of the UK is 14.5% and the report highlights a North / South divide with Northern and Midland regions above the national average and a size divide with larger centres also above the national average. The survey suggests that the situation may get worse in 2011.
Matthew Hopkinson, director at the Local Data Company said: "The sad reality is that the number of vacant shops are increasing with certain areas of the country severely impacted and unlikely to recover. These High Streets will never revert back to what they once were and so the composition of our town centres needs to change to reflect modern shopping needs.
"Vacancy is just one side of the coin. Occupancy is also dramatically changing with a greater number of leisure uses taking over the high street along with Pound shops, pawnbrokers, bookmakers, charity shops and hairdressers. Mixed use offer tied in with community is the future of our town centres and as such all involved need to react accordingly for them to have any future at all."
In comparison, Rotherham Council's Annual Town Centre Survey, which takes into account the effect of new developments such as the redevelopment of the Imperial Buildings, has the vacancy rates at 10.3% in 2006 and 20.3% in July 2010, much lower than the findings from the Local Data Company.
In addition, 45 new businesses have opened in Rotherham town centre since January 2010 compared to 15 in 2009. 24 have closed their doors.
The council's The Business & Retail Investment Team are reporting a strong pipeline of live enquiries. Just this week saw Textiles Direct move across town into new premises on Effingham Street and Fulton's Foods expand into larger premises on Frederick Street.
Local Data Company website
Rotherham Town Centre website
For most centres in the UK, vacancy rates increased in 2010 and the report gives Rotherham the highest vacancy rate amongst large town centres (over 400 shops) in the survey with a rate of 28.2%.
Nationally, the survey places Rotherham as having the 12th highest vacancy rate with Sheffield's rate worked out at 26.8% and Doncaster at 24.7%.
The mid-year report published by the the Local Data Company in September had the vacancy rate in Rotherham town centre as 14.5%.
The current vacancy rate for whole of the UK is 14.5% and the report highlights a North / South divide with Northern and Midland regions above the national average and a size divide with larger centres also above the national average. The survey suggests that the situation may get worse in 2011.
Matthew Hopkinson, director at the Local Data Company said: "The sad reality is that the number of vacant shops are increasing with certain areas of the country severely impacted and unlikely to recover. These High Streets will never revert back to what they once were and so the composition of our town centres needs to change to reflect modern shopping needs.
"Vacancy is just one side of the coin. Occupancy is also dramatically changing with a greater number of leisure uses taking over the high street along with Pound shops, pawnbrokers, bookmakers, charity shops and hairdressers. Mixed use offer tied in with community is the future of our town centres and as such all involved need to react accordingly for them to have any future at all."
In comparison, Rotherham Council's Annual Town Centre Survey, which takes into account the effect of new developments such as the redevelopment of the Imperial Buildings, has the vacancy rates at 10.3% in 2006 and 20.3% in July 2010, much lower than the findings from the Local Data Company.
In addition, 45 new businesses have opened in Rotherham town centre since January 2010 compared to 15 in 2009. 24 have closed their doors.
The council's The Business & Retail Investment Team are reporting a strong pipeline of live enquiries. Just this week saw Textiles Direct move across town into new premises on Effingham Street and Fulton's Foods expand into larger premises on Frederick Street.
Local Data Company website
Rotherham Town Centre website
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