Traders in region's town and cities 'cautiously optimistic'

Traders in Norfolk and Suffolk are cautiously optimistic, despite a national survey showing that one in eight shops on Britain's high streets currently stands empty.

Retailers are reporting signs of improvement after a difficult two years for the sector, with new tenants moving into some previously vacant stores.

Of the towns and cities surveyed in the East, Norwich had the highest vacancy rate of all, with 12.5pc of shops currently empty, just above the UK average of 12.4pc.

The Norwich figures are based on a survey carried out in August. Matthew Hopkinson, of its compilers The Local Data Company, said 52pc of Norwich shops were non-food 'comparison retailers' which tended to suffer more during the recession, compared to the UK average of 38pc.

'People think, 'Do I need to buy those new jeans, that new pair of shoes or those flowers?' These shops have a high exposure before you even consider customer credit,' he said.

But he added: 'Norwich is doing all right for the size of the place.'

Great Yarmouth ranked fifth in the regional table for vacancies, with 11.4pc of shops empty, but town centre manager Jonathan Newsman said today's figure was 8pc.

'I believe the level is now back to what it was two years ago before the credit crunch,' he said.

The improvement was partly down to new independent retailers moving into the town's Victoria Arcade in response to reduced rents and a business support initiative by Enterprise GY.

The gap in the Market Place created by the closure of Woolworths at the start of last year had been filled in the autumn by value clothes chain Ethel Austin, although a shadow now hangs over the future of that store after news that the company has gone into administration.

King's Lynn ranked ninth in the regional table, with 8.2pc of shops empty. Jason Law, West Norfolk Council's portfolio holder for regeneration, said: 'In comparison to our competitors, we are faring better. Lynn is above the average. There are new shops opening up. I think things are moving around. That's not denying that there are stores closing, but we're optimistic new things are coming along as well.'

Lowestoft ranked 11th in the regional table, with vacancies at 7pc. Its main shopping street, London Street North, is looking brighter: QD's second store in the town has taken over the vacant Woolworths shop and fashion retailer Peacocks has opened an outlet opposite in the former Somerfield supermarket.

The vacancy rate in Dereham was just 2.8pc. Steven Cross, Dereham Chamber of Trade and Commerce secretary, said: 'While we obviously don't like to see empty shops in the town centre of Dereham, we remain positive, and where shops have closed, others have opened.'

Other towns in Norfolk and Suffolk were not surveyed, but in Cromer, chamber of trade president Sue Brown said the town was 'holding its own' with a couple of closures balanced out by some new shop openings.

In recent months the resort had lost a small fruit and vegetable shop and estate agency, but had gained a new hairdressers and patisserie - while Iceland had filled the big hole left by the closure of Woolworths.

Wymondham has also seen a number of new businesses open in the last six months. Market Street, its main shopping street, has just one empty shop front - the former Somerfield store - which has been empty since the Co-operative supermarket took over the former Woolworths store in November.

Town clerk Trevor Gurney said Wymondham had been 'lucky' during the recession and the town centre was looking healthy with an independent butcher recently moving to Market Street and Big C opening a charity shop in the Market Place.

In Diss, clothing and craft shop Blue Moon and fashion retailer Tigertail closed last month. However, Mere Street did see the opening of Musker McIntyre estate agents in a former florist's.