THE number of firms looking for shop space in Worcestershire rocketed in January despite reports of "bleak" Christmas trading.

Worcestershire's Property Service, which is operated by the County Council, received four times as many retail enquiries during the first three weeks of 2005 than during the same period last year.

The enquiries have come predominantly from start-ups or local stores looking to expand.

"The heavy demand for suitable retail units means that those seeking to expand, or indeed start a business, should make finding suitable premises their number one priority," said Pat Prosser, Property Service manager.

"They should be prepared to be flexible with their requirements, especially at times of peak demand.

"The New Year brings good news for other business sectors on the move, as the number of industrial properties available across the county in January was seven per cent greater than in the same month in 2004.

"We have also noted a staggering increase - 20 per cent - in the availability of office premises.

"These figures reflect the recent increase in office development and suggest local commercial property supply and demand may become more closely aligned than in previous years."

The situation at CrownGate Shopping Centre, which accounts for 300,000 square feet of retail space in the heart of Worcester, confirms the Property Service's findings.

"Demand for our units is sostrong we are 98 per cent let," said Carolyn Mantle, CrownGate manager.

"Unusually for a development of our size, 20 per cent of our lets are to local, independent retailers, and we even have waiting lists for several units."

Worcestershire's Property Service can be contacted by logging on to www.worcestershire.

gov.uk/business