Leeds city centre retail vacancy hits record low ahead of Christmas
The 8.8% vacancy rate compares with a current national average of around 12.4%, according to Leeds City Council. the lowest level since records began in 2019.
The latest figures come ahead of the key Christmas trading period, with the city centre also recording more than 45.2m pedestrian visits so far in 2026.
Specialist cameras monitoring eight key areas, including Briggate, The Headrow, and Albion Street, recorded 45,291,505 visits during the year to date – equivalent to an average weekly footfall of 1.33m.
Briggate alone has recorded 8,502,173 visits so far this year, averaging 250,063 per week, while overall city centre footfall is currently consistently ahead of the same period in 2025.
The figures come as Leeds prepares for a further increase in visitor numbers through October and November.
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to visit the city for Light Night Leeds on 28 and 29 October, before the Christmas shopping period and a programme of seasonal events are expected to drive a further increase in footfall during November and December.
Cllr Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, said: “It’s hugely encouraging to see the city centre performing so impressively as we prepare for what’s likely to be the busiest and most exciting period of the year for shoppers and visitors.
“A great deal of partnership work has gone into making our retail areas and public spaces a unique and welcoming experience, and the consistently strong performance and resilience of our local economy demonstrates the success of that work.
“With these impressive figures as a foundation, we’re all set to welcome hundreds of thousands of people to the city for what is sure to be another remarkable season for Leeds.”
