WANTAGE and Abingdon traders are confident of a bright future after the number of empty shop units in the towns fell.

A survey found eight per cent of shop units in the Vale of White Horse district are empty, below the national average of 13 per cent.

This fell from 25 empty units to 18 in the last 12 months in Wantage. Some 10 per cent are now empty.

Empty Abingdon units fell from 23 to 15, leaving seven per cent empty.

Since last September, Costa Coffee, Cargo and bookmakers Coral have moved into Market Place, Wantage, filling up the last remaining units.

A planning application is being considered for the former Regent Cinema, while The Original Factory Shop chain recently opened at Kings Park retail estate.

Abingdon has been given a boost with the news that Poundworld will open at the closing Cargo home shop in the Bury Street precinct.

Other new shops include Fine Guitars and Dream Doors in Stert Street. It means every unit in Market Place is now in use.

Linda Hatter, of Hatter’s Gift Shop, in Mill Street, Wantage, said: “Trading conditions in the town have improved vastly compared to what they were like two years ago.”

She said Wantage Chamber of Commerce and traders’ group Wantage Rejuvenated had worked to create a ‘feelgood factor’ in the town.

“There are a good mix of shops including lots of independents and more shoppers are coming here than they were before – trade is reasonable.”

The Vale council is hosting a business support roadshow at Wantage Civic Hall today, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.

And the South East England Development Agency has made £40,000 available to brighten up shop fronts.

Richard Gibson, executive member for economic development at the Vale, said: “To see this significant drop in shop vacancies in both Wantage and Abingdon is a real boost to both towns in what are very tough economic conditions.”