"At the height of the banking crisis we were told that it was almost our patriotic duty to shop for the recovery. Now, even if we wanted to, the opportunities are becoming fewer, with 14% of high street premises standing empty." Andrew Simms, The Guardian, 1 July 2011
The number of empty shops in the UK hit an all-time high last month amid a post-Christmas series of retail failures, according to a new survey. Town centre vacancy rates rose to an average of 14.6% in February, from 14.5% in January, the Local Data Company (LDC) said, the highest figures since the index started four years ago. This equates to nearly one in seven shops being shut across the country.
The LDC previously said some high streets are still thriving, particularly in the south of England, but many in cities and towns such as Stockport, Nottingham and Wolverhampton are struggling. Matthew Hopkinson, director at the LDC, said: "The latest increase is not unexpected as post Christmas occupancy levels drop and retailer failures continue." The trend has continued with the announcement that Game Group intends to appoint an administrator putting some 600 UK shops at risk.
The LDC, which visits more than 2,700 towns, cities, retail parks and shopping centres for its study, expects a further fall in consumer confidence, rising unemployment, the continued growth of supermarkets and the internet to lift the vacancy rate further.
In its bi-annual regional breakdown, LDC said the best performing centres were mainly in the south and west. These included Exeter, Kingston, Camden, Cambridge, Taunton, Salisbury and St Albans, which was the best performer with an 8.2% vacancy rate.
The Government is later this month due to respond to the Portas Review, delivered by celebrity retail expert Mary Portas, which recommends cutting regulations for high street traders and the launch of a national market day.
A gloomier-than-expected picture of the retail sector emerged on Thursday and fuelled fears over the strength of the wider recovery in the first quarter of the year. Retail sales volumes fell by a larger-than-expected 0.8% last month, the Office for National Statistics said, while January's growth was revised down to 0.3% from an earlier estimate of 0.9%. The City had been expecting a 0.4% decline in February.
In its bi-annual regional breakdown, LDC said the best performing centres were mainly in the south and west. These included Exeter, Kingston, Camden, Cambridge, Taunton, Salisbury and St Albans, which was the best performer with an 8.2% vacancy rate.
The Government is later this month due to respond to the Portas Review, delivered by celebrity retail expert Mary Portas, which recommends cutting regulations for high street traders and the launch of a national market day.
A gloomier-than-expected picture of the retail sector emerged on Thursday and fuelled fears over the strength of the wider recovery in the first quarter of the year. Retail sales volumes fell by a larger-than-expected 0.8% last month, the Office for National Statistics said, while January's growth was revised down to 0.3% from an earlier estimate of 0.9%. The City had been expecting a 0.4% decline in February.
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