Pledge to support retail trade in Walsall
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Regeneration bosses in Walsall have pledged to continue to support retail trade in the borough and have dismissed national figures on empty shops released today as "potentially misleading".
Walsall Council leaders say the End of Year Vacancy Report produced by the Local Data Company does not give the true picture of the health of the retail sector in the borough.
The report - which is based on information collected in 2011 - says Walsall is among a number of West Midlands towns with a vacancy rate of more than 25% . However figures collected by the council in December 2011 reveal that the actual percentage of retail, warehouse and office accommodation is considerably lower at 20%.
"This report is a national snapshot produced by people who don't know and understand our town as well as we do, "said deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Adrian Andrew.
"Yes, during 2011 a number of national traders such as LaSenza, TJ Hughes, Millets, Topshop, Suits Plus and Wamsleys, vacated shops in the town centre.
"However, the true picture in Walsall is a far cry from that painted in this report. Park Street - the retail heart of the town centre - currently only has one vacant unit and this was due to relocation and expansion of Carphone Warehouse who have invested in the town with a full refurbishment of a vacant unit in the Saddlers Centre.
"Existing businesses have also invested heavily in Walsall town centre with new fit outs and refurbishments of Marks & Spencer, Superdrug, New Look, Barclays Bank & Wilkinsons," he said.
"Walsall has a thriving network of independent shops - 266 independently operated businesses compared to 194 nationals.
"We will continue to work closely with landlords in the town centre who are now offering exceptionally good deals on units and those looking at starting a business should contact us for support into taking their first steps into retailing, food or office based business.
"One of our key priorities for 2012 is to continue to work with the Town Centre Champions on tackling vacant units. We are currently looking at some exciting projects around vacant units and working with the private sector to explore incentive packages for those who want to start-up or relocate.
"Walsall also has a number of thriving district centres and we have been very successful in reducing the number of voids by supporting businesses and getting a better understanding of their needs. We have welcomed a host of new businesses into our district centres and will continue this work during the coming year.
"We will also continue to actively seek inward investment from national operators especially from a leisure background, working with developers who are investing in Walsall providing new and exciting retail and leisure facilities. Seymour House being one of them."
For further inforamtion http://www.upwarddevelopments.co.uk/Seymour-House-Walsall.aspx
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