PLAID Cymru AM Lindsay Whittle has expressed his concern over the number of retail premises lying empty in Torfaen.

The South Wales East AM was speaking following a Freedom of Information request submitted by his office.

Mr Whittle’s office asked for figures on the number of empty shops in the borough’s three towns every year since 2008.

The figures show that the number of empty shops in Pontypool and Cwmbran have fallen, but risen in Blaenavon.

The Cwmbran figures cover the whole area including Cwmbran Shopping.

In 2009, Pontypool had 135 vacant shops and now has 108, Cwmbran had 150 in 2009 but now has 129.

While Blaenavon had 38 in 2009 but nowhas 47 vacant shops.

Mr Whittle said: “Many businesses have struggled since the recession kicked in and there are now almost 300 retail premises vacant across the three towns.

“Money spent in local shops in town centres tends to stay in the area and can generate more jobs. While the big outof- townstores send their profits to their headquarters, which are mainly outside Wales.”

Cwmbran Shopping manager Paul Rich said: “We have an approximate two to three percent vacancy rate, which is well below national average.

“The centre receives 18 million plus visitors a year and approx 80,000 car visitors per week and this number is continually rising.”

Figures for vacant retail premises Torfaen council gave the following information on empty retail premises over the last five years: March 31, 2009: Pontypool 135, Blaenavon 38,Cwmbran 150 March 31, 2010: Pontypool 130, Blaenavon 38, Cwmbran 146 March 31, 2011: Pontypool 125, Blaenavon 32, Cwmbran 142 March 31, 2012: Pontypool 125, Blaenavon 38, Cwmbran 141 January 31, 2013: Pontypool 108, Blaenavon 47, Cwmbran 129