Experts warn recovery unlikely as one in six Scottish shops sits empty

ONE in six shops in Scotland are vacant, with rates unlikely to “ever fully recover” experts have said.

The vacancy rate is one of the highest in Britain, according to the latest Vacancy Monitor issued by the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) and the Local Data Company.

SRC director David Lonsdale said there is “little sign” of improvement north of the Border , as the rate remains at 15.7% for the third consecutive quarter – an improvement of 0.4% since 2021.