The high street crisis has worsened in the past six months, as more than 1,000 stores disappeared from Britain’s top 500 high streets.
That leaves two more empty shops on average on each high street across the country. The figures were the largest half-year fall in stores for five years.
It further strengthens the importance of the Mirror’s High Street Fightback campaign.
The report, from accountants PWC, reveals 1,569 shops were opened on the 500 high streets in the period. But 2,692 closed – leaving a net fall of 1,123 stores.
Accountants BDO added that sales slipped by 2% year-on-year in October.
Sophie Michael, of BDO, said it was a “real worry”. She said: “This could easily be the new normal for October, as shoppers hold back
their discretionary spending until they start seeing bargains.”
