The number of empty shops around the island is decreasing, as new businesses open after the pandemic.

The Guernsey Retail Group reports that the shop vacancy rate is now 7.8%.

This is a significant reduction from the start of this year, when it was 13.25%.

Head of Retail Development, Korinne Le Page says these statistics are even more impressive when compared to the UK's.

The British Retail Consortium has indicated that shop vacancies are currently at 13.9%, which is just 0.1% lower than the last time it was recorded there.

Ms Le Page says this shows clear growth in the local retail economy after the pandemic:

"We want to change the narrative that town is dying or retail is dying.

This shows that people are brave enough to open new businesses, and it offers more choice, more variety, and it's increasing the vibrance of town and people want to come and check out new things - we know locals like new things."

The group attributes the improvement in shop occupancy locally to landlords providing short and medium-term rental opportunities for new and established retailers.