Ellie Ames 28 July 2023

Councils need ‘cohesive plan’ after loss of 6,000 stores

Councils need ‘cohesive plan’ after loss of 6,000 stores    image
Image: raymond orton / Shutterstock.com.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) found that Britain lost 6,000 shops in five years and warned that local authorities must make a ‘cohesive plan’ to revive shopping areas.

Covid, the cost-of-living crisis and ‘crippling’ business rates meant companies were deserting retail spaces, the trade association said.

In the second quarter of 2023, vacancies in shopping centres were at 17.8% and 13.9% of high street storefronts were vacant.

Lucy Stainton, commercial director at the Local Data Company, said: ‘With the continuing trend in mind, we do not foresee any improvements to vacancy rates in future.’

The highest vacancy rates were in the north east and the Midlands, followed by Wales and Scotland.

Greater London, the south east and the east of England maintained the lowest vacancy rates.

BRC chief executive, Helen Dickinson, said: ‘The Government announcement earlier in the week about making changes of use to vacant units easier is welcome but it’s important local councils have a cohesive plan, and don’t leave gap-toothed high streets that are no longer a customer destination and risk becoming inviable.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Housing Assurance Service Manager

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£55,675 - £56,649
We’re building a brand-new assurance team in our Homes & Neighbourhoods service Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Trainee Public Health Practitioner

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£24,404 - £24,790
Working within the Kirklees Public Health Improvement team Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Climate Change Officer

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£40,476 - £42,708
Are you a passionate and enthusiastic Climate Change Officer Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Transition Home Manager

Durham County Council
Grade 13 £45,718 - £49,764 (Pay Award Pending)
Could you support young people to realise their individual potential and prepare them for their journey towards independence. NOT JUST A PLACE OF WOR Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

SEND and Inclusion Senior Specialist Support Worker (Communication and Interaction Team)

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
We are recruiting a SEND & Inclusion Senior Specialist Support Worker to join our Specialist SEND & Inclusion Team. We would be particularly intereste Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner