A TRADE association is calling for a change in planning laws to reverse the growth of empty retail units in town centres.

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) says research shows one in seven shops on the UK high street now stand empty.

Analysis by the Local Data Company (LDC) shows the percentage of retail premises now vacant across the UK stands at 14.5%.

Although LDC says this figure has stabilised after three years of store closures, it adds that the picture is unlikely to improve significantly due to the current economic climate, the rise of alternative sales channels and the number of shops the country has.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Vacancy rates on UK high streets are more than just a symptom of the recession.

“Towns up and down the country are crying out for new investment. This investment is necessary not to prop up but to reshape and modernise our existing centres.

“However, the problem is that the millions of pounds that are being invested in retail are being invested in out-of-town supermarkets and retail parks.

“Unless we see urgent action, our high streets will be lost to a final wave of out-of-town retail construction that threatens to remove retail from the heart of our communities. It will also dramatically scale down the opportunity for new and specialist shops.”

The ACS says there are currently more than 40m sq ft of new retail developments in the pipeline. Of that, more than 80% is planned for out-of-town locations.

This has increased from 60% in 2006.

A prolonged period of uncertainty around the national planning rules and an aggressive wave of new supermarket development have led to this change, it claims.

The ACS is calling for a “town centre first” approach in Government planning policy, currently under review.