One in five shops standing empty in north

  • Consumer
Credit: PA

Nearly one in five shops in the North of England are empty, a report has revealed.

The research by retail data collector, The Local Data Company (LDC), found 20% had been vacant for more than three years.

LDC Director Matthew Hopkinson said: "This is the equivalent of five Manchesters lying empty."

The worst area is the North East, which has a shop vacancy rate of 18.8% in the second half of last year.

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Shops in London are doing the best. Credit: PA

In comparison, the South only have one in 10 shops lying empty, with the best area being London.

Mr Hopkinson said some areas had been kept afloat by supermarkets and convenience stores following the closure of many traditional shops.

But with supermarket giants such as Tesco and Morrisons announced they are closing stores, he added: "The question as to who will occupy these newly vacant stores as well as those, which have been empty for a while is a very difficult one to answer."

The best town centres are:

  • Debden, Essex

  • Highgate, north London

  • Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire

The worst town centres are:

  • Burslem, Staffordshire

  • Stoke-on-Trent

  • Harlepool