Boarded up shops are blighting towns and cities across Britain(Image: Martin O'Callaghan)

Around 38 shops are closing every day across Britain - but some are bucking the trend

A report has laid bare the loss of businesses that make up our high streets, but cafes and bargain chains are expanding into the gap left behind by others in the market

by · The Mirror

Nearly 7,000 shops and other high street businesses closed in the first six months of the year - an average of 38 a day, research has revealed.

The exodus was led by chemists - with Boots shutting a wave of stores - banks, estate agents and pubs. The rate of closures has increased from 36 a day in the first half of last year, according to data from industry experts Green Street and accountancy giant PwC. The figures cover high streets, shopping centres and out of town retail parks.

The closures were dominated by three main types. They included 481 fewer chemists, with Boots alone having announced 300 closures across the UK as part of a plan to cut costs. The cull of pubs also continued, with another 432 locals shutting, while banked axed another 247 branches. The first half of the year also saw 122 estate agents close, along with 63 and employment agencies, fuelled by a shift to online.

Boots' announced closure of 300 stores has led to more empty shops( Image: BerkshireLive - Grahame Larter)

There were, however, some signs of positivity in the report. It found that 4,661 stores opened over the six months, averaging 25 openings per day.

They were led by convenience stores, with 85 openings, as supermarkets opened more smaller outlets. The first half also saw 58 coffee shops open, plus 39 value retailers, and 34 cafes.

Coffee shops have bucked the trend, with dozens opening( Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Online has continued to grow, with the internet accounting for almost 28% of all retail sales online in July this year.

Lisa Hooker, leader of industry for consumer markets at PwC UK, said: “The good news is that the rate of net closures has stabilised and consumers will always want somewhere to grab a coffee, last minute present or enjoy the experience of in-store shopping. But there are still more closures than openings impacting our high streets.”