The Fall of Retail

One out of eight UK retail shops has not survived since the first lockdown

The analysis looked at shops across Britain occupied by retailers with more than five outlets across the country

More than one in eight shops are in limbo after temporarily closing for the first blockade in March and not reopening, according to a report.

A total of 5,552 shops remain closed with little clarity about their future, underscoring the uncertainty facing the retail sector, an analysis by Local Data Company and the accounting firm PWC found.

These 'frozen' shops add up to 888 acres of property in streets, retail parks, shopping malls and other locations such as railway stations.

The analysis looked at shops across Britain occupied by retailers with more than five outlets across the country. There are 43,766 of these shops, which means 12.7% are in limbo.