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Just 6.5% of shops in Doncaster’s ‘high street’ are now empty, compared with the national average of 14.3%.  It comes as a new report by Doncaster Council shows the town centre is in good shape despite the economic downturn.

The survey by the authority’s town centre management highlights that the number of shops has dropped form a high point of 9.5% in January 2009.  The 6.5% figure includes Doncaster’s prime and secondary retail areas – what town and city centres nationally regard as their ‘high street’ when measuring success against other areas. 

On Baxtergate, which has the highest footfall, the level of empties has dropped from over 20% two years ago to 8%.  Beyond the retail core the number of voids is predictably higher at 17%.  The tertiary and fringe area includes the Waterdale precinct.

Peter Davies, Mayor of Doncaster, said: “Earlier this year Doncaster was named as fourth most resilient town centre in the country.  It is thriving at the moment. 

“We have Britain’s best market and the only place in Yorkshire that has more shops opening is Harrogate. 

“The reason seems clear to me – Doncaster is THE place to be in business and we have backed traders with investment and promotion to bring shoppers in.”