// 50 shops a day closed in first half of 2021
// 1063 fashion retail stores closed during the period
// A total of 8739 outlets went bust across high streets, retail parks and shopping centres
New research has found that 50 shops a day closed in first half of 2021, with fashion retailers being the worst affected.
A total of 1063 fashion retail stores closed in the first half of the year, ahead of charity shops, car and motorbike outlets and betting shops.
Some 8739 outlets went out of business across high streets, retail parks and shopping centres between January and June, according to the Local Data Company.
READ MORE: Retail vacancy rates rise despite ease of Covid restrictions
But 3488 opened during the same period, resulting a net decline of 5251.
When compared with last year, the data suggests the rate of closures slowed down – with 11,120 shops shutting their doors in the first half of 2020 as the pandemic hit, a net decrease of 6001.
The research was conducted for accountancy firm PwC, which said government support during the pandemic helped keep businesses afloat.
Despite this, the firm has warned the second half of the year will be “make or break” for many stores as government help is wound down.
City centres saw a 4.3 per cent drop in the number of occupied retail outlets as people and businesses moved to suburban or out-of-town locations, reflecting the rise in people working from home.
Commuter towns saw a three per cent decrease in the number of shops, while villages saw a decline of 2.3 per cent.
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