The number of boarded-up shops in Bradford city centre is falling.

The level of vacant units soared by 25 per cent when the credit crunch first hit, but new figures show an improving picture.

According to surveys conducted by Bradford Council, 55 out of 482 shop units in central Bradford were vacant in September 2008, and that figure had risen to 69 by March 2009, as stores such as Zavvi, in Tyrrel Street, closed down.

However, the number of vacant units fell to 66 by mid-2009 and went down again to 65 by late 2009, meaning nearly 14 per cent of city centre shops were vacant at the last count.

Councillor Adrian Naylor, the Council’s executive member for regeneration, said: “It’s not unexpected that during the height of the recession we saw an increase in the number of shop units that became vacant. But it’s encouraging to note that since March 2009 they have started to drop.

“However, I am still concerned about the need to encourage as much investment into the Bradford district as possible. I hope the banks will be more amenable to people wishing to start businesses.”

He said the Council was doing a number of things to show its commitment to the city centre and increasing footfall, including the Heritage Streets project and the City Park scheme.

He said: “We are hoping the public-realm work we have done will encourage people to start using the shopping thoroughfares more than in the past.”

This week provided further proof of the mixed retail picture in Bradford, with Leisureland Amusements starting work on a new cafe in Bridge Street, but a ‘To Let’ sign going up outside Firths, in Ivegate.

Val Summerscales, of Bradford Chamber of Trade, said: “We are optimistic as vacancies are declining, albeit only slightly, which shows we are going in the right direction. I can understand it peaking in March because of the economy.”

Meanwhile, latest figures show that 40 out of 201 shops in Shipley are vacant – nearly 20 per cent. Arguably the biggest loss was the closure of Woolworths in early 2009.

In Keighley, 52 out of 403 shop units stand empty, equating to 15 per cent. But the picture in Bingley is brighter, with just seven out of 258 shop units vacant – nearly three per cent.

Shipley has the highest percentage of charity shops at four per cent of its total retail offer, followed by Bradford at nearly three per cent, Keighley at just over two per cent and Bingley at 1.5 per cent.

Green shoots of recovery?

New businesses in Bradford which have recently opened in the immediate city centre:

* March 2009, Asda Living opens in Forster Square.

* March 2009, BetFred opens in Market Street.

* July 2009, Paddy Power opens on Broadway.

* September 2009, Candelisa People recruitment consultant opens in North Parade.

* October 2009, Mumtaz Jaldi Jaldi opens at Forster Square.

* October 2009, DFS takes extra space at Forster Square.

* November 2009, Morrish Solicitors opens a new branch on Broadway.

* December 2009, Buffet@Bradford Chinese restaurant opens on Hall Ings.