Council hears that number of empty shops across South Lanarkshire is falling

Positive figures have emerged through the council’s empty property relief budget, which provides rate relief to owners of unoccupied non-domestic properties such as shops, offices and industrial units.

The number of empty shops and commercial properties across South Lanarkshire is falling – in an encouraging sign for the region’s local economy.

A report presented to South Lanarkshire Council’s recent finance and corporate resources committee confirmed that fewer commercial premises are sitting vacant across the region than in previous years, with the trend expected to continue.

Positive figures have emerged through the council’s empty property relief budget, which provides rate relief to owners of unoccupied non-domestic properties such as shops, offices and industrial units.

With fewer properties requiring support, council finance chiefs are forecasting a £1 million saving on the scheme in 2026/27 — slightly higher than the £803,000 underspend recorded on the same budget last year.

Lorraine O’Hagan, the council’s head of finance, told the committee: “We have an expectation of a recurring underspend in the current year — slightly higher than what we had in the previous financial year — and again it’s due to demand and the anticipated reduction in the number of empty properties that we’re having to support as a council.”

The £1 million has been set aside in a separate budget while the council decides how best to use it, with a final decision expected later in the year. The annual saving is also expected to become a permanent feature of the council’s finances.

She said: “That recurring underspend is liable to continue from 2027/28 onwards, so we’ve also noted that as a benefit to the council’s revenue budget strategy from 2027/28.”

The committee noted that £590,000 of new investment funding has been allocated as part of the 2026/27 budget, covering galas and festivals (£200,000), third sector support (£300,000), Citizens Advice funding (£40,000) and the Community Engagement Team (£50,000). * Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

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