Retailers call for action as shopper numbers fall

Retailers have called for action from "government at all levels" to stem a drop in shoppers and a rise in the number of vacant shops in Scotland.

Research by the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) found 10.6% of shops were vacant last month - up from 10.4% in June.

That means almost one in every nine retail premises is now sitting empty.

Footfall numbers were unchanged from June's rate, but were 2.4% lower than a year ago.

SRC said encouraging shoppers back was "crucial" to reducing the number of vacant premises.

The SRC/Springboard report for July found the decline in footfall was in high streets and shopping centres, and was much more severe than across the UK as a whole.

However, retail parks saw an 8.8% increase in shopper numbers.

'Cheerless figures'

SRC director David Lonsdale, said: "This is a rather cheerless set of figures, heralding a third successive spike in the shop vacancy rate in our town centres coupled with a further drop in shopper footfall.

"A more concerted effort is required to drive up footfall and reduce the number of empty retail premises in our town centres.

"Retailers have a role to play but we also need to see government at all levels consider what further steps could be taken.

Retailers said July saw a third successive spike in the shop vacancy rate in Scotland

"For example, local councils should place more emphasis on accessible and affordable parking and a building standards system that better facilitates retail refurbishment and expansion.

"At a time when retailers' margins are thin or non-existent, government needs to get a firmer grip on tax and regulatory costs which have mushroomed, starting by making it less costly for firms to invest in commercial premises."

A Scottish government spokesman said: "Our town centres should be attractive focal points for the community, and we have invested heavily in transforming them in recent years, including through a £60m town centre regeneration fund to help breathe new life into those which needed revitalising.

"Together with local councils, we have also taken forward a Town Centre Action Plan, and have provided funding to help bring empty town centre properties brought back into use.

"In addition, this government has ensured the most competitive business tax environment anywhere in the UK, with 96,000 properties across all sectors of the Scottish economy paying zero or reduced business rates, ensuring that more businesses can afford to keep a presence on the high street."