Bradford is still punching below its weight in terms of attracting shoppers, a new report shows – and is the fourth highest retail area in terms of the number of pound shop-type discount stores in the city.

Despite being one of the country’s fastest growing cities, it is ranked only 63rd in the UK in terms of retail takings, which were worth £230 million, although that is up from 68th position the previous year.

The report also highlights the fact that of the city centre’s 209 stores, 18 per cent of these are discount shops – putting it in fourth place in the league table of number of discount stores.

Councillor David Green, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, praised the leap in the rankings for retail takings, but added that there was still a long way to go.

He said: “Any improvement in the revenue spend has got to be welcomed but we are still clearly punching well below our weight as a city centre. I would like to look at which sectors that money is actually being spent in, as I think that would be illuminating.

“The movement is welcomed but we have still got a long way to go to get to where we, the retailers, and the people of Bradford, want us to be.

“This is where things like the Westfield development, the growth zone and a proactive approach to the city centre come in. We have had a proactive approach for the last 20 months, actively working to get a better retail and leisure offer in the city centre. Its not something that happens over night.

“We have had ten years of ignoring the city centre and we have now had two years of trying to stop the rot. An increase in the spend levels indicates we might be stopping the rot and looking forward.

“I’ve always said that there is a place for discount shops, but clearly the current percentage is possibly too high . If we can get the other empty shops brought back into use, then that percentage drops.”

Val Summerscales, of the Bradford Chamber of Trade, welcomed the improvement in retail takings, but added that discount stores were being well used by those shopping in the city centre.

“I’m pleased that the retail spend has improved, but it also means that a percentage of £230m has been spent in discount stores in the city. A lot more people are using them and they are continuing to expand.

“The fact more and more have opened and they are not closing down shows that there is a customer base for them. I would prefer to see a shop that is trading than an empty building.”

The figures have been revealed in Callcredit’s Retail Vision 2012 report, which also ranks Leeds in eight position based on retail takings, with York just above Bradford in 55th, and Huddersfield in 70th. White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds is in 75th position.