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Almost 50 chain stores a day closed in Britain during first half of 2021, research reveals

ALMOST 50 chain stores a day closed down on Britain’s high streets, retail parks and shopping centres in the first half of the year, according to research published today.

Figures collected by the Local Data Company for accountancy firm PwC showed that 8,739 shops were lost in the first half of the year, with 3,488 opening in the same period, equating to a net decrease of 5,251.

As the Covid crisis began to bite in the first half of last year, 11,120 shops closed, giving a net decrease of 6,001 – 750 more than in the first six months of this year.

The study surveyed more than 200,000 outlets operated by businesses with more than five branches across Britain, including shops, restaurants, banks, cafes and gyms.

Shopworkers’ union Usdaw responded to the findings by renewing its call for the government to develop plans to save the retail industry.

The union said that a rescue effort should include reductions in rents and rates levied on stores.

Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis said: “The UK retail sector has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic on an unprecedented scale, as the staggering number of shop closures demonstrates.

“It is little comfort that there has been a slight improvement on last year and, for an industry already facing significant challenges, the long-term impact will be severe.

“With over 180,000 jobs lost across the industry last year and 200,000 predicted for this year, we need immediate action from the government to reduce rents and rates for high street retailers, alongside levelling the playing field with an online sales tax. 

“The coronavirus pandemic has pushed many retailers and retail workers to breaking point, so we need government measures to be equally significant.”

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