THE number of empty shops in Altrincham has fallen by almost four per cent in the last year.

The news comes a year after Altrincham made headlines for having the largest number of empty shops for a medium-sized town in the country at 30 per cent.

Although the town has still made the top 10 for medium-sized towns in the north west with the largest percentage of empty units, it has dropped from first place to ninth.

It also has the largest positive percentage point change in the top 10.

Figures from a report by the Local Data Company reveal that 25.1 per cent, just over a quarter, of retail units are vacant - a figure that is eight per cent higher than the average for the north west, which is the highest in the country.

But the data also shows a 3.9 per cent fall in vacant shops in Altrincham.

Tony Collier, president of Altrincham Chamber of Commerce, said they were delighted to see Altrincham 'bucking the trend' and expected to see continual improvement in the year ahead.

“The people of Altrincham and the surrounding area are passionate about the town and we have all being working very hard on raising the towns profile.

“Recent big news stories include Wilkinsons who are coming to the Stamford Quarter creating 74 new jobs.

“We strongly believe that where possible people want to shop local and we are pleased to be working with Trafford Council on attracting new businesses to the town."

Leader of Trafford Council Matt Colledge, said: “There has been a lot of hard work in trying to attract new tenants to Altrincham and we are pleased that this is paying off but we recognise that there is still more work that needs to be done.”