Empty shops are blighting Kirklees.
And some areas have one of the worst records in Britain.
Almost a fifth of all shops in Batley have been empty for at least three years, the sixth highest figure in the country.
The rest of the region, including Huddersfield, has seen its number of empty shops fall to a level last seen seven years ago.
Britain’s shop vacancy levels fell to 12.4% in April, the lowest since 2009, and down 0.6% from the same time last year.
Across Yorkshire, 12.7% of retail units were empty in April, with 5.6% having been empty at least three years.
The change has been driven by a drop in the number of units becoming vacant along with an above average number of units being removed from the overall stock, with some premises demolished or given an alternative use.
Kirklees Council has had a policy of trying to create former office premises in Huddersfield into accommodation.
Clr Peter McBride, Kirklees Council cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We have concern for our major towns.
“This is why we have created the Enterprise Zone in North Kirklees and the partnership in Huddersfield between the council the private sector investors, the college and university to jointly plan their investment together with the council linked directly to the combined authority and LEP investment.
“In the region, priority investment for regeneration and transport is targeted on the major towns and to link them more efficiently with one another so investment for example will follow on from Transpennine electrification.
“The region will follow the Kirklees example of encouraging more people to live in town centres.
“Additionally we are investing alongside our academic institutions that are industries in their own right as well as sources of skill and know how to other industries.
“The councils do not decide or determine private investment in town centre retail. We can and do try to create a climate for investment by encouraging footfall from those living in the towns plus those travelling through town and by funding events from time to time. We can act as a catalyst but we cannot direct investment.”
The figures were published by the Local Data Company, and show a decrease in April, with the number of units vacant for over three years down 2.8% from the start of the year.
Matthew Hopkinson, director at LDC, said: “This drop in the national vacancy rate to a level that was last seen in 2009 is significant.
“Of the shops we have, more are occupied than ever before and remaining occupied for longer, but the LDC data shows the removal of units from the overall stock which is reflected by the decline in long term vacant units.”
