New data from the Scottish Retail Consortium has shown an improvement on the nation’s high streets, with the number of empty shops falling to its lowest level since last summer.
Analysis of data compiled alongside research partner Springboard revealed the average vacancy rate has fallen to 10.7%, or just over one in 10.
The mark means Scotland is behind only Greater London, the south east and east of England in a ranking of the UK regions.
The SRC’s director, David Lonsdale, described the improvement in fortunes for retail property as being “encouraging”.
However, he called for Government to do more to tackle concerns over rates and building standards.
“Our town and city centres have a great deal to offer, and the fewer empty shops there are the more attractive it becomes both for shoppers and for other retailers,” he said.
“With one out of every 10 retail premises still lying empty, it is clear however that further action is required,” he added.
“As I visit members of the Scottish Retail Consortium across the country two issues consistently come to the fore, the steep cost of business rates, and a building standards system which could better facilitate retail investment and expansion.
“Addressing these concerns will be crucial to increasing retailers’ confidence about investing in property, and which in turn will create more jobs and revive high streets.”