A RETAIL expert has promised to try to fill empty shops in Wallingford over the next six months.

Iain Nicholson helped Wantage to win an award and now has been hired by Wallingford Town Council and South Oxfordshire District Council to achieve similar success further east.

The key task for Mr Nicholson as town team coordinator is bringing down the number of empty units in the town centre – currently there are 12.

Among shops which have closed are Toby English’s bookstore, which closed at the end of April.

Mr English opened his St Mary’s Street shop in 1994 but was forced to shut due to falling trade.

He now runs his business from a nearby office.

Mr Nicholson, 51, said he would work closely with Wallingford’s market town coordinator, Kate Rayner, and would remain in the post until October.

He added: “In March 2013 Wantage had 23 vacant shops and by the end of last year there were only three left.

“The key thing in Wallingford will be to make sure the number of empty shops does not increase, and bring the empty ones back into use."

Mr Nicholson added: “We will try to create pop-up shops because they can create confidence.

“Pop-up shops could be suitable for businesses who want to upscale furniture, or set up crafts, fashion or music stores. We don’t know yet how many pop-up spaces will be created but we are having conversations with landlords and agents.

“They could be open for a number of weeks or as long as three month.

"That helps traders to test the market and see if they want to set up a shop permanently.

Richard Strange is one of the traders Mr Nicholson is talking to about setting up a pop-up shop selling vinyl records.

“There has been a revival in the sale of vinyl so Mr Strange is keen to set up a pop-up shop to test the market,” said Mr Nicholson.

“Pop-up shops help create confidence and We have already had 18 expressions of interest from businesses interested in a pop-up shop.”

said Mr Nicholson.

In February department store Pettits launched a sale after announcing it would downsize with a number of job losses.

The store has now closed for refurbishment, with nine flats being built on the upper floor and will reopen before Christmas or in the spring of next year.

In Wantage Mr Nicholson introduced a pop-up shop for businesses, new town maps and a loyalty card scheme.

In November, Wantage won a Great British High Street Award in a national contest run by the Future High Streets Forum.