Brighton shops outperform retail average (From The Argus)

Brighton shops outperform retail average

11:29am Tuesday 31st March 2009

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SHOPS in Brighton are outperforming their counterparts across the country despite the recession, according to latest data.

Statistics compiled by the Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership show that Brighton – Hove is not included – has fewer empty and boarded up commercial property than the national average.

The vacancy rate stands at 6.9% compared to the UK average of 9.5%.

The heart of Brighton’s independent shopping districts fared even better. The vacancy rate in the North Laine is just over 5% while in The Lanes it is 5.5%.

Tony Mernagh, chief executive of the Partnership, said: “The independent sector is holding up very well, which is good news because we were worried it could be particularly vulnerable.

“[Commercial analyst company] Experian is saying the vacancy rate across the country could go up to 15% in places, with the average expected to be 12%, so if we can keep below that we will doing very well.”

The number of shoppers visiting Brighton increased by 2% in the first 12 weeks of the year compared to the same period last year.

Mr Mernagh said: “This shows visitors are still being loyal to the city. That is important because when the recession ends we need to be in a position to take advantage of the upturn and that will happen if we keep people coming into the city, even if they are not spending as much at the moment.”

Like-for-like sales in Brighton were up 1.92% in January, compared to a rise of 1.1% nationally. In February they declined by 1.3% but nationally the decline was 1.8%.

Mr Mernagh said: “There are shops that did not discount at all but still did quite well. We are ahead of the curve in all three benchmarks. At this stage of the recession that is very good news.

“I would say we are six months into a 24-month recession so the longer we can keep these figures up the better we will be.”

Claudia Meynell, owner of children’s gift shop Purple-Heart.com, Gardner Street, North Laine, is one of the success stories of Brighton’s independent sector.

She said sales rose 39% in the last three months of 2008 compared to a year earlier. Ms Meynell added: “In January we were 20% up and in February 50% up on last year. It has been fantastic.

The influx of tourists taking advantage of the weak pound has also helped.

Ms Meynell said: “In just one day we have Spanish, Russian, French and Italian schoolchildren visit. They come in hordes and buy large amounts – the Russians especially."

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