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Plaid Cymru has called on shoppers to support their high streets all year round.

Figures highlighted by Plaid Cymru show that Welsh high streets have the highest vacancy rates in the UK at 15%, whilst vacancy rates in Wales’ out of town shopping centres are below the UK average at 13%.

The party's shadow economics minister Rhun ap Iorwerth said that high streets are an important driver for local economies and are vital for local businesses to compete with large multi-national businesses in out of town developments.

Plaid said that small local firms re-spend 63p locally out of every £1 earned, compared to larger firms who spend only 40p out of every £1.

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Mr ap Iorwerth said the party plans to cut business rates for 83,000 companies in Wales, bringing 70,000 out of rates completely, would help small businesses compete on the high street.

He said:“What the figures show is that a worrying trade-off is happening between the high street and out of town shopping centres. Wales has more empty shops on our high streets than anywhere else in the UK, whilst we have the busiest out of town centres.

“What this means is that the independent shops and companies – the businesses that deliver the most economic benefit to our communities – are doing worse in Wales than the rest of the UK.

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“Plaid Cymru wants to even the playing field for these small and medium-sized businesses.

“The high street is a great place for Christmas shopping, but remember that it isn’t just for Christmas. Let’s support our high streets all year round.”