A TRADERS’ leader has welcomed Government proposals to fill empty shop units by linking up with community groups.

Communities Secretary James Brokenshire said he plans to unveil a series of measures tomorrow to help rejuvenate the high street in a project called Open Doors.

Mr Brokenshire said empty shops and decreasing footfall on the high street could contribute to social problems such as crime, unemployment and loneliness.

Explaining his new plan to tackle the problem he said: “The scheme will match landlords of vacant commercial units with community groups offering vital services to younger and older people.

“The aim is to reduce loneliness among our most vulnerable members of the community, while increasing footfall in town centres.”

The minister said the new project would help as some landlords may not be aware of the benefits of linking up with community groups or how to negotiate a temporary contract.

Graham Jones of Oxford traders’ group ROX - Promoting Oxford Business, said: “I welcome these proposals and look forward to hearing more details from Mr Brokenshire.

“I think it makes sense to fill empty units, and linking up with community groups is one way of doing this.

“One example of this in Oxford was when the former Lush store in Cornmarket was turned into a cafe briefly for the homeless.

“In the end it didn’t work out because the premises were not appropriate but something similar could be made to work in future.”

The percentage of vacant units in Oxford is lower than the national average - eight per cent compared to 12 per cent.

In the budget Chancellor Philip Hammond provided a new £675m Future High Street Fund to help.