AN EMPTY shop was said to illustrate the challenges facing Bournemouth town centre.

The former Dorothy Perkins was singled out in a “staggering” presentation by town centre manager Roger Parker.

The shop closed last March and is still vacant despite being in a prime location on Old Christchurch Road.

Traders would have to pay £218,000 a year in rent and £90,684 business rates.

“You have still got to stock the shop and employ staff,” said Mr Parker.

“If you are a national multiple retailer you probably can’t make these figures stack up.”

Most retailers want 5,000 sq ft of floor space, ideally on the ground floor, said Mr Parker.

Bournemouth’s old shopping units are usually smaller and spread across two floors.

The former Dorothy Perkins has only 2,656 feet of floor space and only 1,000ft is on the ground.

Mr Parker said: “It’s a great location – but it’s probably going to be vacant for some time.”

He was asked to update the council’s economy and tourism panel on town centre retailing.

He said the general retail picture was mixed – some shops were “well up” on last year but others were having a “ghastly” time.

The recent creation of the Business Improvement District was “a vote of confidence” by traders themselves.

But he said there were “unnerving signs” the vacant shop rate was approaching the national average of 14.7 per cent.

He noted that during administration sales, Game and Bon Marche stores closed in Bournemouth but were kept open in Poole and Castlepoint.

Cllr Ron Whittaker said the presentation was “absolutely staggering and astonishing” and wanted the town’s MPs to see it.

Mark Smith, head of tourism, stressed that Bournemouth’s setting and gardens were very different from somewhere like Castlepoint.

He said: “We mustn’t think that we are trying to compete with an out-an-out retail centre. But we can compete as a shopping experience.”

Mr Parker made suggestions for what the council could do to help the town centre.

• More flexibility in changing shop use from A1 (retail) to A3 (cafe and restaurant) • Carry out a town centre review to get an update from 2007.

• Ask the MPs to lobby for more frequent assessments of business rates – five years is too long.

• Ask the MPs to lobby for the local collection and distribution of business rates.

• Ask the MPs to lobby for a review of the rules governing charity shops.

25 EMPTY SHOPS

There were 25 empty shops in Bournemouth town centre and the Triangle, and this figure does not include those that are currently temporarily occupied but up for rent.

Retail favourites include such as La Senza next to Dorothy Perkins, one of the two The Body Shops, and due to administration, Game and Game Station are two more that make up that figure.

Also included is family-owned business, RC Porter Jewellery, and several more high street favourites, such as Past Times, The Discovery Store and Bon Marche.