Trafford Council disputes empty shops in Altrincham figure (From Messenger Newspapers)

Trafford Council claims Altrincham is on the up - despite Local Data Company research

10:10am Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News

TRAFFORD Council’s leader has disputed research that claims to show that nearly one in three shops in Altrincham are empty.

A study by the Local Data Company (LDC) calculated that 30 per cent of the town’s shops are vacant.

But council leader Matt Colledge claims the figures are out of date. He said there had been a significant reduction in the vacancy rate over the past six months and also the LDC figures don’t take into account units where development is due to get underway.

The council maintains the actual vacancy rate figure for June was 24 per cent - and when development sites are accounted for that falls to 16.3 per cent. These development sites include Railway Street in Alltrincham, where the new hospital will be built.

Cllr Matt Colledge, who is also the chair of Altrincham Forward, said: “The figures recently announced by LDC relate to a survey undertaken in March this year.

“I am delighted to say that the situation is very different now. Just in the past week we have had a new music shop, two new restaurants and an independent craft shop open in the town centre. Later this week an art gallery opens and a large new outlet for vintage and crafts businesses.”

Altrincham Forward has produced a Town Centre Action Plan which aims to revitalise the town.

Cllr Colledge added: “There is a real buzz around Altrincham at the moment. The evening economy is particularly strong with a large number of new music venues, bars and restaurants opened over the past few months. There is still a long way to go but we are now planning for a vibrant and successful Christmas season for the town centre.”