How Harborough and Lutterworth rate in a league table for empty shops in the county

And the good news is that both towns are well under the national average, and among the best performing in the local area.

Just three per cent of shops in Market Harborough are currently empty and Lutterworth has a score of just four per cent.

The government has been introducing measures allowing local authorities to sort out their town centres, including more control over the number of vape and betting shops and lower business rates for nightlife venues.

Since 2024, Westminster has also pushed its High Street Rental Auctions (HSRAs) initiative, which requires landlords to rent out continually vacant units to local businesses or community groups.

However, only one area in Leicestershire is seriously looking at implementing the programme.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) asked all the county’s borough and district councils to share the retail vacancy rates in their biggest towns.

While all results came in under the national average of 14 per cent, the data shows that many county towns still have dozens of empty units.

In June 2026, Loughborough’s vacancy rate was just more than 12 per cent, making it the emptiest in Leicestershire.

Next was Coalville, where 10 per cent of shops stood empty according to the latest data.

Hinckley had a rate of 9 per cent.

The market town of Melton came in at 7.4 per cent.

The figure for vacant retail units in Oadby was 6.6 per cent.

Performing better were the towns in Harborough district, with 4 per cent of shops in Lutterworth currently empty.

The district’s hub, Market Harborough, had a score of 3 per cent.

In North West Leicestershire’s Ashby-de-la-Zouch, 2 per cent of shops were vacant.

Only 1.6 per cent of Oadby’s units were unoccupied, making it the least empty in the county.

Harborough District Council said its “strong occupancy levels” meant it too was not looking into implementing the HSRA.

A spokesperson said: “We are extremely proud of the strength of our local retail economy across Harborough district. Our market towns benefit from a distinctive mix of independent retailers, national brands, cafés, restaurants and leisure businesses that help create vibrant destinations throughout the year.

“This success has been supported by significant investment from the council, including investment into Market Harborough’s Indoor Market, business support and retail grant programmes, exciting town centre events and the development of the Cultural Quarter.

“These initiatives have helped support footfall, develop local businesses and maintain some of the lowest retail vacancy rates in the region.

“The council will continue to work closely with businesses, landlords and town centre partners to ensure our high streets remain vibrant, resilient and attractive places.”

No data could be retrieved for the towns of Shepshed, Syston, or Braunstone Town.