An audit of businesses along one of Norwich's most historic streets will be carried out to find out how many premises are still empty.

Trade along St Augustine's Street, just north of the city centre, has picked up since a �3.3m one-way system opened at the start of the year.

But many former businesses along the street still remain vacant and community leaders are looking to find out what can be done to bring them back into operation.

Stuart McLaren, Secretary of St Augustine's Community Together Residents' Association, said: 'We were hoping more businesses would have moved into the street, as it's nearly a year since the gyratory system opened.

'Several antique shops have moved into the street but other premises still remain empty, some for many years. One former shop, Fran's Pantry, has been closed about 20 years.

'We hope to carry out an audit of the businesses in the street to find out which premises are still unoccupied. Once we find out who owns them we can find out why they are empty. We did a similar survey about six years ago when there were more boarded-up shops in the street, and one shop was subsequently renovated.'

Meanwhile, people interested in the future of the area can join a 'visioning' session on Wednesday, October 26 at 6pm.

People are advised to meet at the corner of St Augustine's and Pitt Street in front of the furniture shop. The session will look at the kind of shops needed to boost the area and ways to improve the local economy.

Do you know of a Norwich shopping street that has seen a recent upsurge in trade? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.