SHOP occupancy rates in Malton are at their highest rate for five years according to Fitzwilliam (Malton) Estates.

"Virtually every estate retail property is now occupied," says Roddy Bushell, estate manager, "which seems to confirm that we have turned a corner in proving the growing attraction of Malton as a retail centre."

Just seven estate shop properties remain unoccupied. Four are involved in redevelopment projects so that the town can meet the demand for larger units. One is about to be let, which leaves just two small units on Saville Street.

Roddy adds: "On average, we have had a dozen vacant properties at any one time, so our current low vacancy rate is encouraging. However, the competitive retail market means that the turnover of high street shops is much faster than it used to be. This is true throughout the country, not just in Malton.

"For city centres like York it is normal for 10pc of the shops to be vacant even where there is a strong demand, just because of the time it takes to refurbish and re-let unit between tenants. For market towns under pressure from out-of-town shopping centres, the figure averages 13pc. We are way below that figure at the moment.

"While it is encouraging to have made up some ground, both the estate and the town cannot afford to be complacent. Part of the reason for success is that, despite the foot and mouth factor, Malton has benefited a little from a substantial growth in high street sales across the UK this year, which has encouraged retailers to open shops.

"This level of growth will not continue for ever, which means that we must continue to work hard to continue to improve the appeal of the town as a place to live, work and shop. I believe we are already making a good progress in this direction thanks particularly to the help being received from the Countryside Agency, Yorkshire Forward and Ryedale District Council through the Market Towns Initiative."

Commenting on the survey by the Fitzwilliam Estate, Mick Gains, town centre manager, said there was a real mood of optimism in the towns now. "It's very encouraging to see that we've got some new and interesting shops."

In particular, he was very pleased to see new traders already expanding. "In three months, Ego, the youth fashion shop in Yorkersgate, has gone from one unit to three."

Credit for the new spirit of revitalisation should go to a range of people, he said. "No one person can do this alone. It's got to be a collective effort. Everyone's starting to pull together and now we are seeing the results of that effort."

Mr Gains added that Malton and Norton are now beginning of a month of special activities in the lead-up to Christmas. "We aim to make Malton the premier market town in North Yorkshire. We are doing that now."

The next thing Mick Gains want to see is The Lanes, off Yorkersgate, revitalised. "I want to see a real buzz there with food and drink, antiques and speciality shops."

Updated: 10:53 Thursday, November 29, 2001