Cllr Geoffrey Theobald, the Conservative Group Leader for Brighton & Hove City Council, and Mike Weatherley, the Member of Parliament for Hove and Portslade, have welcomed the latest shop vacancy figures that show high streets in Hove and Portslade are some of Britain’s most successful shopping areas.

Figures from www.brightonbusiness.co.uk show that the overall vacancy rate for Hove and Portslade was just 3.9%, compared to the UK average of 11.5% and an 8% rate in Brighton. Particularly impressive performers were Station Road and Boundary Road, with just two shops empty out of 153, George Street, with only 2 out of 86 empty and Blatchington Road, with two empty shops, out of 78.

Commenting, Mike said: “We are blessed with a wide range of small independent retailers in Hove and Portslade and it is great that they are proving resilient in challenging economic times. I will continue to try and do everything I can to help them prosper and flourish.”

Cllr Theobald added: “I am pleased that actions such as the doubling of Small Business Rate Relief discount by the Government appear to be having a positive effect on shops and other small firms in Hove and Portslade. There is no room for complacency here but the signs are certainly encouraging and I will press the Council to continue to play its part in helping all small businesses in our City wherever it can.”