Many former Woolworths stores still empty long after retailer's collapse

A study conducted by analysts from The Local Data Company shows that more than 300 out of 807 ex-Woolworths stores have still to find a replacement tenant.

The highest occupancy rate is in the Greater London region, where 81 per cent of former Woolworths stores have found an occupier. Yorkshire and the Humber comes second with an occupancy rate of 64 per cent.

Woolworths went into administration in 2008, and all the shops had closed by January 2009.

Twenty two per cent of the stores that have found new tenants have been taken up by discount stores.

Matthew Hopkinson, business development director at The Local Data Company, said: "This snapshot shows that take-up of ex-Woolworths stores has continued, with a majority now being occupied.

"There are, however, a significant number that, for whatever reason, have not been reoccupied, some in centres that you would least expect."

Randal Casson, head of the retail sector group at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Yorkshire, said: "After Woolworths' demise many retail commentators speculated that variety retail was dead – but in fact it is alive and kicking on high streets across the UK. As consumers emerge from the recession, they are maintaining their appetite for fixed-price and multi-price value retail, and often in more upmarket areas where you wouldn't have thought there would typically be demand, such as Harrogate and York.

"This is a structural, permanent change, which is altering the face of the UK high street and the shopping repertoire of British consumers.

"The Local Data Company's research shows that the UK high street is experiencing a gradual recovery, with vacant ex-Woolworths stores being filled gradually.

"This will continue as landlords realise what their property is actually worth in today's market and following the abolition of empty property business rates relief. These factors mean we will continue to see more stores let to new tenants."

Liz Peace, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said:

"It is extremely heartening that most of Woolworth's former stores now have new occupiers. This has filled vacant shops on High Streets across the country – and more importantly has safeguarded vital jobs.

"Undoubtedly some of the remaining 40 per cent are in less easy-to-shift locations or have some structural problems, but one would hope as the market continues to improve that alternative occupiers will be found."