We counted the number of empty shopping units in the heart of Leeds city centre to see if the city is recovering from years of economic turmoil for the high street.
Following the pandemic and the cost of living crisis and the rise in online shopping, we decided to visit six streets in the city centre to see how many empty units we could find. There were at least 18 empty shops, buildings, and units in the centre, out of the small sample size we picked.
Latest data shows that 17.54 per cent of street-facing retail units were empty in August 2022, according to Leeds City Council, which stated footfall was 34 per cent higher in the city centre. The local authority also outlined plans for huge empty units where Debenhams and Clarks once operated from.
Read more: 'Overwhelmed' Leeds Council slammed for 'abysmal' complaints responses
Our sample included the main high street of Briggate and five of the streets crossing and surrounding it. Below is a list of the streets and shopping centres surveyed by LeedsLive as well as the number of empty units found on each one:
- Briggate: 7
- Commercial Street: 3
- Bond Street: 2
- King Edward Street: 2
- Albion Place: 1
- Lands Lane: 3
- Total: 18
It comes amid fears Leeds is becoming a 'three-day city' as footfall plummets - especially on Mondays.
What Leeds Council had to say
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “Every six months Leeds City Council undertakes a survey of units in the main retail areas of the city centre. The latest data from August 2022 showed 17.54 per cent of street-facing retail units were empty at that time, which had decreased from 20.28 per cent in February 2022.
"All of the retail units in Leeds city centre, except for Kirkgate Market, are in private ownership. As with any city centre and major retail destination, Leeds sees a regular turnover of retailers, hospitality and leisure businesses so the vacancy rate does fluctuate over time.
"In Leeds, plans are in place for most of the key units, for example work at the former Debenhams site is due to begin in March with shop fitting work also taking place in a number of other units such as the former Clarks store on Commercial Street. In addition to this, the council funds an ‘empty unit programme’ which gives local artists the chance to design temporary shopfront artwork in empty units to improve the appearance and vibrancy of the area.
"Footfall in Leeds city centre in 2022 was 34 per cent higher than in the previous year, as the city continues to recover from the Covid pandemic and its impact, as well as facing up to the challenges caused by the current cost of living crisis which is affecting businesses and residents alike.”
Read next:
- Leeds granddad driven 'mad' over hole in roof leaking into his bedroom for seven weeks
- Asda launch new £20 Just Essentials meal plan to feed a family of 4
- 'Gunman with suspicious device' arrested outside Leeds hospital as he is quizzed by police
- Boy left in a wheelchair and being fed through a tube after vaping
- Police statement as boy, 15, arrested after teenager stabbed multiple times in Leeds
