SIR – There is no doubting the fact that Bradford has a shop vacancy problem and there have been further shop closures during this year.

However, from my own observations walking around the city centre and through information I have found on the internet, there is a chance that the numbers are set to decrease.

Probyns has been placed under offer, three shops on Ivegate have been re-let, Clarks shoe shop and The Linen House are both under offer and a shop on the corner of Kirkgate/Piccadilly has been let.

Bank Fashion in the Kirkgate shopping centre is to move into a larger unit between W H Smith and Clinton Cards, a shop on North Parade is under offer and one near Millets on Godwin Street has been let.

If all these transactions are completed, it would be the start of a decrease in shop vacancy rates, and hopefully a sign of better things to come.

Perhaps the investment in City Park, public realm and the Southgate development are now beginning to pay off.

Jack MacPherson, Killinghall Road, Bradford