Plight to fill empty shops

The sprawling number of vacant retail plots has cast a gloomy shadow across Maidenhead.

But according to town centre manager Steph James, there is a list of retailers who would relish a move to the area.

She found a host of traders interested in Maidenhead sites through an estates website. And with empty plots blighting the landscape the Royal Borough has now taken the unprecedented step of mailing all vacant property owners the contact details of interested traders.

"The website shows all traders interested in Maidenhead and the size of unit they are looking for," said Miss James. "I put those details in a spreadsheet and have sent it out to all vacant property landowners in the town.

"I'm not sure how much success we will have, but it's a move in the right direction and at least we are having a go."