Figures released by East Dunbartonshire Council under Freedom of Information Act show 83 properties were recorded as empty in September 2026, compared with 58 in September 2025.
That represents an increase of around 43% in the space of a year.
The number of properties which had been vacant for more than six months also increased, rising from 23 last year to 36 this year.
However, the number sitting empty for more than two years fell from 20 to 14 over the same period.
Scottish Conservative leader and West Scotland MSP Russell Findlay has described the increase as “bad news for East Dunbartonshire”.
He claimed vacant units were contributing to a decline in local economic activity.
He said: “This rising number of empty units is bad news for East Dunbartonshire because it means less economic activity, fewer jobs, and reduced revenues which all adds up to a shrinking local economy.
“Vacant shops exacerbate the decline because fewer people come into the area, with even more businesses then being forced to shut down.
“Of course, online shopping has changed retail habits, but it’s heart-breaking to see traditional retailers disappearing and being replaced by a proliferation of dodgy vape shops and barbers.”
Findlay called on councillors in the region to put pressure on the Scottish Government to overhaul the business rates system.
He added: “The Scottish Conservatives have been campaigning to improve the business rate system which has been branded unfair, inconsistent and lacking transparency.
“We’ve also called for up to two hours of free parking across all council areas to boost struggling high streets.”
