Retailers are 'beating the economic downturn'

Nine per cent of shops in the town centre's "retail core" are empty, against a national average which stands at 14 per cent, according to a survey by Doncaster Council.

But the authority admits that the survey only took in the "busiest streets" meaning that some on the edge of the town centre, which have several shops empty, have not been counted.

The council defended its position, saying that even if other shopping areas, such as the troubled Waterdale Centre, were included, the empty shop figure for Doncaster is 13 per cent.

One business owner, Anthony Frith, who runs Shoe Healer in Sunny Bar, said he was preparing to "trade up" to bigger premises.

He added that he and his staff originally offered a shoe repair service, but now planned to sell high-quality men's shoes from a new unit in Scot Lane, which has been boarded up for years.

Mr Frith said: "People had to go to Leeds or Manchester to buy proper gentlemen's shoes so we decided to start selling them here. We've got a website and also started exhibiting at country fairs. Now we have customers from all over the world."

The Shoe Healer shop will be taken over by Churchill Tailors, who have been trading in Doncaster for 42 years and decided that the time was right to move from the market to a new shop.

Dan Churchill, who runs the business, said: "We're getting busier and need more space to cope. Doncaster has a diverse business community and is a great place for enterprise.

"I think people are sick of talking about the recession and just want to move on and get working."

Coun Jonathan Wood, who is the council's cabinet member for business said it was "good news" that the town was beating the national average.

He added: "I am delighted to see three of our home-grown businesses are expanding and taking on bigger premises in spite of the tough economic climate. There is always more to do in terms of tackling empty units, but it is good news that Doncaster is below the national average."