The proportion of vacant town centre shops in Harrow is now ten per cent lower than in the rest of the country.

In Harrow Town Centre four per cent of shops are currently empty.

This compares to ten per cent in London and 14.6 per cent across all of the country’s town centres.

The percentage of empty shops in Harrow Town Centre is also falling – in May seven per cent were vacant.

Harrow Borough Council portfolio holder for regeneration and planning, Councillor Keith Ferry, said: “Supporting the town centre and local businesses is a top priority for the council, they are at the heart of communities and we want them to thrive.

“These figures reveal we are bucking the national trend and that the changes we have put in place to bolster the local economy are working. 

“We want to keep the momentum going and with our fabulous Diwali lights that have been switched on, plus Christmas lights on December 1, as well as our three-day continental style festive market – Harrow is becoming a place where everyone wants to shop.”