A leading local business figure has said that the outlook for retailers in the area is "positive" in the wake of a major rise in footfall for shops across Scotland.

Figures released by the Scottish Retail Consortium show that retailers across Scotland enjoyed a booming April, with footfall across the country sitting at its highest level since July 2014.

The figures show that the numbers shopping on the High Street and in retail parks in Scotland has grown, while the numbers attending shopping centres are on the decline.

Damon Scott, the chief executive of Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce welcomed the overall national picture and pointed to some upcoming developments in West Dunbartonshire.

He said: “The increase in total footfall at retail parks and high streets across Scotland is certainly encouraging and we tend to find that national trends are reflected locally.

"However, we have also seen some signs recently that may suggest an even more positive outlook locally. Nando’s and Tony Macaroni both confirmed their intention to open up outlets in Clydebank Shopping Centre further strengthening the mix of leisure and retail which has been identified as an important driver footfall. Additionally Iceland’s £1 million investment in a Food Warehouse in Clydebank Retail Park and Lidl’s interest in multi-million pound investment in Dumbarton and Alexandria suggest that we may see more nationwide retailers committing to the area, creating jobs and boosting the economy.

"The chamber continues to work closely with our partners in Dunbartonshire to support inward investment and regeneration plans for both Dumbarton and Alexandria."

Footfall nationally was recorded at 3.2 per cent in April, giving it the third fastest growth rate in all UK regions and well above the three-month average of 1.8 per cent and the flat 12-month average.

However, the number of town centre shop vacancies have also recorded a worrying increase across Scotland, at 9.2 per cent in April from 9 per cent in January, with these figures lower than the UK average, which sat at 9.3 per cent last month.

Ewan MacDonald-Russell, Scottish Retail Consortium's head of policy and external affairs, said:

“A mixed picture this quarter, with footfall rising but offset by a modest but nonetheless worrying increase in the high street vacancy rate. That shop vacancy rate is now standing at 9.2 per cent, up from 9 per cent in January, and the highest figure in almost two years. In itself that movement is not hugely significant, but with several other economic indicators in Scotland also raising concerns policymakers should pay close attention to the measures they take which affect retail premises; especially the upcoming Barclay review of business rates."