One in seven shops in city centre empty
One in seven shops in the city centre are standing empty, a Mercury survey has found.
Worst-hit areas include Church Gate, Gallowtree Gate and High Street – where nearly one in four are vacant.
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Gallowtree Gate, one of Leicester's main shopping areas
However, business leaders said they were optimistic they could lead a fightback to attract new stores into the city.
Also, a new £63,000-a-year city centre manager is set to start work this month to promote Leicester to retailers as well as offering help to refurbish stores and support established businesses.
Councillor Patrick Kitterick, cabinet member for transport and regeneration, said: "This is a national problem. The departures of several chains, such as Zavvi and Whittards, have been disappointing, but we are not alone.
"This month, we will have a new city centre director and city management committee, which will be very retailer led.
"It will help tackle issues such as dealing with empty units and really listening to retailers about what is happening in the city centre and what needs to be done, so there are some shafts of light in difficult times."
A total of 104 out of 708 shops and business units surveyed by the Mercury in the city centre were empty or boarded up – equating to just under 15 per cent.
That puts it higher than the national average of 11 per cent, but in line with retail figures recorded in the Midlands.
Our count included shop units in the Highcross and Haymarket shopping centres, High Street, Gallowtree Gate, Humberstone Gate, Granby Street, Church Gate, St Martin's Square, Silver Street, Cank Street, Market Street and Belvoir Street.
Dermot Breen, chairman of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce's city centre committee, was far from downhearted.
He said: "We are optimistic. I can think of a good dozen units that are already being looked at by retailers to move into."
However, traders say they are worried about the knock-on effects which empty shops have on their business.
Nilesh Vadoliya, who took over the Premier store, in Granby Street, four months ago, said: "More shops are now left empty and people just don't come down here as often. It's very quiet."
Shoppers said work needed to be done urgently to replace closed stores.
Graham Larratt, 46, from Braunstone, said: "It's easy to blame the recession, but the council still need to work to get more businesses in."
Angela Roach, 51, of Newtown Linford, said: "It's been the weaker shops that have been pushed out of business. I'd love to see empty buildings replaced with book shops, or more places to relax in the middle of shopping sessions."
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by Julie, Leicester
Tuesday, May 05 2009, 2:34PM
“C.J. -You find it 'depressing' that there are 'too many' pound shops and think it makes the city 'look poor'? Welcome to the real world! There have always been many in this city who ARE poor, and there are even more people struggling now in the current recession. If shopping in pound shops and discount shops rather than more expensive chains means people have more chance of paying their mortgages and keeping a roof over their kid's heads then I think that's far more important than the gilt of a city that 'looks rich' but whose shops are mostly empty showrooms for the kind of looks and brand names obsessed lifestyles that led to this recession.”
by Dave, H&B
Tuesday, May 05 2009, 2:14PM
“I'm still shopping in the centre because I can still park within a 5min walk for free.
Once these few spaces are gone, I'll never come back to the centre.
What is the point of spending £4 for parking when you go for a £30-40 shopping ? 10% of your total spends for the parking ?? Thanks, but it's not for me !”
by mw, Wreake Valley
Tuesday, May 05 2009, 1:39PM
“It is OK claiming that this is a 'national problem', and yes, there is a recession on, but why haven't shops like French Connection and Habitat pulled out of Nottingham as well? Have House of Fraser is Nottingham changed to an outlet store? For all the gusto about competing with Nottingham / Birmingham etc, and all this talk about 5 star 37 story hotels etc, all that has happened is that Leicester continues to fall behind Nottingham.”
by CJ, Leics
Tuesday, May 05 2009, 1:36PM
“Leicester City centre has theses simple words on almost all the retail outlets on Gallowtree Gate ¿Closing down sale¿. Most shops have just moved about 100 yards down the road (yes the Highcross) stores like Topman/Topshop etc. Why not keep both branches open like they do in Birmingham? If anything the new Highcross has taken jobs away, instead of creating jobs it seems. We have far too many pound shops, it makes Leicester look like a poor city, (which maybe true). I find the City centre depressing and a lack of shops still despite the so called Highcross. I can¿t even find a pair of trainers in Leicester yes we have a JJB and Sports Direct, but have you seen the lack of stock in those places? Even JD sports have a small but expensive range! All the money they¿re wasting in paving over the old roads down Gramby Street also, gosh all I see is about two coffee shops from the train station to the Clock Tower that are still open and have customers!”
by Dodgite, Braunstone
Tuesday, May 05 2009, 1:24PM
“Whats this nonsense i hear about people not having the money anymore? The other day, i was passing by Homemade Burger Co in the new Highcross area and that place was rammed!!! If none of you have been there or seen the menu, on average, it is £7 for a burger only!! Obviously people have got money to burn if they are eating in there.”