Fewer empty shops in Richmond (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Fewer empty shops in Richmond

9:46am Thursday 24th January 2013 in News By Clare Buchanan

The number of empty shops in the borough has fallen by 16 per cent in the past year according to the council.

The number of vacant stores across Richmond went from 231 in 2011 to 194 in 2012 and the borough has an 8 per cent average vacancy rate compared to the 14 per cent national average. 

The news came after Councillor Stephen Speak asked at a council meeting on Tuesday, January 22, how the number of empty shops in the borough overall compared to with the national average.

Councillor Pamela Fleming, the council’s member for community, business and culture, said the borough’s fair parking policy had encouraged residents back into the high streets.

She said further measures were in place to continue to improve the situation such as small grants for people who may want to set up pop up shops.

She said: “I don’t want to be complacent about this because we have all seen the loss of shops.”

Coun Fleming said in some cases small supermarkets were also encouraging people to shop locally and bring people back to village shopping parades.