23/06/2009 - Warning over 35,000 shops closures
Retailers continue to face difficult times, with research showing that up to 35,000 shops could close by the end of the year.
A survey of British town centres, carried out by retail research firm Experian, provided the estimate and also found that three high streets had an alarmingly high number of empty retail premises.
Town centres located in Harwich in Essex, Gateshead in Tyneside and Walkden in Greater Manchester registered the highest amount of vacant shops, with almost 60% of retail units remaining unused.
The research is being presented by Mary Portas in her BBC Mary Queen of Shops programme. She will talk to the chief executive of Sainsbury`s Justin King and the executive chairman of Marks & Spencer Sir Stuart Rose.
"Since Christmas it hasn't got any worse and I think in the current environment not having got any worse is probably a win," said Sir Stuart.
"But it is too early to say green shoots. We are all very conscious as retailers. Let's see how the rest of the year pans out. I mean we are in for a very interesting time."
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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