PORT Talbot is bucking the trend when is comes to empty shops.

The town has the third lowest vacancy rate in Wales at 8.2 per cent.

And although some retailers have shut up shop, traders are continuing to show their faith in the town centre by snapping up any spare units.

Businessman Stephen Hopkins, who runs newly- opened The Fruit Box in the town, said they had initially found it difficult to find a spare shop in Port Talbot.

"We had been struggling to get a space in the town centre," he said. "There was one empty shop but that had already been taken.

"We were looking for around three months and then six months ago we moved to where we are now. It shows that Port Talbot is a decent town and is busy.

"We are from Maesteg and I think we picked the right choice to come to Port Talbot."

It was reported by the Local Data Company (LDC) that Wales's average shop vacancy rate was 18 per cent.

Angela Locke, who runs Angela's, on Forge Road said: "When I heard about the vacancy rate figure I was surprised, but when I thought about it there aren't many empty shops.

"In the town centre any shops are not left empty long, although small businesses are struggling to stay in the town and some have left.

"I think I am now the longest serving independent shop in the town as I have been here for 37 years."

Lisa Smith, who runs florist The Flower Box on the same street, said she had noticed a decrease in trade since last summer.

"We are on a lovely little street, but I think the council is not promoting it enough," she said. "We are all independent shops and we could do with a bit more help."

Aberafan Shopping Centre manager Steve Redmore said there was only empty shop in the centre, which was the former Dorothy Perkins.

But he said: "We are in the process of signing a new tenant.

"Although times are difficult we are bucking the trend. We have got a few interested parties who want to come in here. It shows the strength of the town centre.

"I am pretty optimistic. It is going to be another difficult year for everyone but hopefully we can hold our own."

Comparatively, neighbouring city Swansea had the second highest vacancy rate of 23.6 per cent, but Neath town centre is faring well with only 10 per cent of shops empty.

Chamber of Trade president Andrew Lodwig said Neath was doing well and, as far as he knew there were only two empty shops in the centre.

An announcement on the first phase of a new £80 million new shopping centre is thought to be imminent.

"Hopefully, when the new development is done and dusted and new retailers come in, it will be a whole new ball game," he said.

gill.roberts@swwmedia.co.uk