Vacant and unsightly shopfronts in York city centre have been getting a makeover to keep up appearances and attract prospective tenants.

The York Business Improvement District (BID) has rolled out its window dressing programme by starting with spaces in Jubbergate and Bridge Street.

The facelifts use adhesive vinyl to show contemporary 3-D images of an inspiring shop to smarten up the area and make vacant commercial space more attractive for prospective tenants.

Andrew Lowson, executive director of The York BID, said: "The programme addresses concerns expressed by businesses about how the city may be negatively perceived because of the appearance of empty storefronts, yet the actual number of empty shops in York compared to other cities in the UK is relatively low.

"The window dressing is a quick and effective solution that minimises the unsightly presence of a vacant shopfront when changing over occupancy and maximises the incentive for another business to set up trade in York.

"Figures show that the UK vacancy rate is 2.5 per cent, with a five-year average of 3.4 per cent; whilst York’s current rate is 1.8 per cent, with a five-year average of 1.4 per cent.

"As part of the York BID’s commitment to improving the city centre’s appearance and lend business support, we have teamed with Shopjacket to design and coordinate the installation of the vinyl dressings and Make It York to provide prospective businesses with information and advice."

Businesses in the surrounding area have noticed a difference. Gessica Giacalone, general manager of Piccolinos restaurant in Bridge Street said: "The window dressing is an improvement to the presentation of the vacant shop and helps clean up the appearance of our business area which sees heavy footfall traffic to and from Ouse Bridge.

"It’s a thriving area so we hope this will help encourage a new tenant to join our business community."

The York BID plans to expand its window dressing programme to a further five shopfronts in the coming months.