"Coventry among worst in UK for empty city centre shops"

[dutchman]

Coventry is still well above the national average for empty shops after new figures showed the city centre continues to top the 14 per cent mark.



According to the latest research from the British Retail Consortium, the city has 14.4 per cent of its units lying empty – compared to the national average of 11.9 per cent.

In November, the Coventry Telegraph launched a campaign to Save Our Shops after gloomy figures revealed the city had one of the highest levels of empty shops in the country – with 14.7 per cent standing vacant.

Although the figures for the first quarter of the year show a slight fall the issue is still cause for concern, claim councillors.

Local business experts have now been invited to a scrutiny board meeting at Coventry City Council today to look at what can be done to support the city centre, encourage more shoppers and make better use of the empty properties.

Coun Tony Skipper, chairman of the business, economy and enterprise scrutiny board, said: “The number of unused city centre retail and commercial properties is a concern and the responses to this will be the focus of our scrutiny meeting.

“City centre high streets nationally face challenge from out-of-town retail complexes with ample free parking and from the convenience of online shopping.

“The city centre property market is certainly changing and even more alternative uses for properties may need to be considered.”

The figures show the city centre has a total of 389 units, 56 of which are currently empty. A total of 43 of these voids are private units, while only 13 empty shops belong to the council.

The national town centre vacancy rate in the UK is the highest since the survey began in July 2011.

Helen Dickinson, British Retail Consortium director general, said: “It’s a major concern that the vacancy rate has reached a record high, driven by increases in almost every part of the UK.

"With high streets topping the agenda for many now, there’s a real opportunity here to seize the moment and stem the tide of further closures.

"Comparatively small steps to tackle deep-rooted issues such as parking, accessibility and rising business costs could make a huge difference to the health of town centres.”

Speakers at today’s meeting include the chairman of the city centre BID Peter Dunkley and Linsey Luke of the Federation of Small Businesses.

Coun Skipper added: “I am sure that once we hear everyone’s thoughts on this important matter we will be able to come up with some ideas that may result in really positive changes.”

[rebbonk]

Sky high rents and taxes hardly help do they Mr Skipper?

[dutchman]

On a rare detour through Smithford Way the other day I noticed almost all the shops at the end nearest Corporation Street were now empty.

[Davey]

Why not have totally free parking at all times ?

[rebbonk]

Well, Flapdoodle, I can only say that I looked into renting a city centre unit at one time and the prices were well OTT.

As regards HMV, is it possible that they obtained a reduced rent because they were seen as a "desirable"?