THE people tasked with making the tills ring in Taunton say the town has got its “buzz” back - with more shoppers heading to the town centre and fewer empty shops to greet them.

Only 5% of the retail units in the heart of the town are vacant, according to Taunton Deane Council, and a number of empty shops are expected to be filled up soon.

Footfall is also up, with the number of visitors heading to the Orchard Shopping Centre up by more than 10% year-on-year.

Cllr Norman Cavill, the Deane Council's cabinet member for economic development, said: “There's fantastic footfall in Taunton at the moment and some fantastic shops moving into the town.

“Our vacancy rate in the town centre is down to about 5% - the national average is about 10% - and we have a few units that are almost let.

“The last few times I've been shopping in Taunton there's been a real buzz about the place.”

Cllr Cavill said marketing firm Destination CMS has been working with retail organisations to help promote the town.

He added: “Taunton is a thriving shopping centre - it's a huge success story.”

Keith Lowe, manager of the Orchard Shopping Centre, said: “Year-to-date we're 10.5% up on last year, in footfall, which is a big rise, although you have to be careful, because footfall does not necessarily translate into sales.

“The increase is down to hard work but also a good retail offer.

“Taunton's had Joules moving in, L'Occitane, Nando's - they will all have done their homework and if we had nothing to offer, people wouldn't come here.

“Contrary to all the doom and gloom, Taunton is not dead - it's very much alive.”

Mr Lowe said footfall this weekend was up compared to last year's Taunton Christmas lights switch-on, despite the difficulties organisers experienced raising funds for the event.

He added: “I am optimistic about the Christmas period. Having said that, people have only got a finite amount of money, and they are driven by value for money.”