TRADERS HAVE hailed “boom time” in Ulverston as new figures reveal the market town has the lowest number of empty shops since pre-recession levels.

Retail space vacancy rate dropped to 6.4 per cent last month, the lowest since March 2008, according to South Lakeland District Council.

The increase in occupancy marks a remarkable reversal of fortunes following a downward trend each quarter this year, putting the town well below the national average of 13.9 per cent. Lake District tourist traps such as Bowness and Ambleside are both lagging behind, with more than eight per cent of shops in their high streets standing empty.

It comes following concerns over the future of the town’s shopping scene, voiced when several stores including McKay’s Meats and The Shop Floor, and the Grapes pub vacated their premises in Market Street. All three units are now home to new businesses.

Traders have put the feat down to Ulverston’s “unique charm”, busy events calendar and enthusiastic business community.

Ralph Spours, estate agent and chairman of Ulverston Traders Association, said: “We’re almost full - and when spaces come on the market they’re usually snapped up very quickly.

“Business is booming.”

Councillor Giles Archibald, SLDC’s spokesman for town centres and businesses, said: “The latest figures are very encouraging. We have run various initiatives in other parts of the district to reduce numbers of empty shops, such as our successful ‘pop-up’ shop scheme, and I’d be keen to see a similar project working in Ulverston.’

“We will continue to work with Ulverston Town Council, Ulverston BID and Ulverston Traders’ Association to look at ways to visually enhance the town centre and reduce shop vacancy rates, in line with our council plan priorities to help our towns and villages to thrive commercially.”