SHOPS in York are riding out the recession better than almost anywhere else in our region, according to new independent research.

According to the Local Data Company (LDC), York has the third lowest vacancy level in the north-east for city centre shops, with nine per cent currently standing empty.

York was only marginally behind Chester-le-Street in the list of 19 towns or cities. The best rate was in Bridlington in East Yorkshire, where 8.9 per cent of shops are empty.

In Leeds and Gateshead the figure is 21 per cent and 25 per cent respectively.

Comparative figures for last year are not available, as this year’s report is the first carried out by the LDC.

It comes at a time when the overall number of empty businesses in York has soared to its highest level in at least nine years.

Roger Ranson, City of York Council’s assistant director for economic development, welcomed the figures, which come after the number of empty businesses across the city as a whole soared.

“We recognise that the recession has had an impact on city centres throughout the country,” he said.

“It is pleasing to note from this survey that York city centre is highlighted for its very low rate of shop vacancy compared to other cities, showing the resilience of the local economy in York.”

Council leader Andrew Waller said: “It is noticeable that a number of shops that have been empty have come back into use quite quickly.

“There are a number of shops that have been empty for some time that now have fitters in.

“It is a positive sign, but clearly we have got to make sure people feel York is a place to come to shop and that it has the variety they expect.”

As reported in The Press last month, the number of empty business premises, including shops, has risen by more than 200 in the past year.

In June 2008, there were 458 empty premises, but that rose to 673 in June this year and 693 in July.