A Shropshire estate agent is encouraging landlords to come up with incentives to persuade people to take on premises and reduce the number of empty shops on the high street.

Last month the scale of the devastation hat has been wreaked on high streets by the recession was revealed, when a report suggested that the number of empty shops has doubled in some areas in Britain.

Pooks Commercial Property Consultants, based in Shrewsbury, said despite the town holding up “surprisingly well” in the downturn there were a number of vacant units owners were keen to see reoccupied.

Shropshire Council has also announced it was running a series of initiatives to boost the flailing economy and keep people shopping in the market towns throughout the recession.

Steven Evans, from Pooks, said: “We have a range of smaller shop units available in the town centre where clients are prepared to offer incentives to help traders in these challenging times.

“The incentives on offer will vary from shop to shop and will also take into account the nature of the prospective tenant, but most property owners are prepared to be realistic and we are advising our clients to be flexible in encouraging take up of empty units.”

Last month it was also revealed that high streets and large villages across Shropshire were turning into “ghost towns” as recession-hit shops and pubs were forced to close. But business leaders are fighting back with scores of initiatives.

Richard Sheehan, managing director of the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, said he supported Pooks in encouraging landlords to help business start-ups and reduce the number of empty shops.

He said: “In some respects we’re fine in Shropshire because we have a lot of independent, privately owned shops in some areas but areas that are reliant on national chains have suffered to a greater extent.

“We will be having a meeting at the end of September with the leaders of economic development from both the county’s local authorities and representatives from the town chambers of trade so they can express their concerns.”

Nick Taylor, assistant director for strategy and development at Shropshire Council, said: “The council is working in partnership with the private sector to help and support the county’s retailers.”