Yorkshire number one for the most store openings in country

Yorkshire is one of only three regions to show a net increase in shop numbers in the first six months of 2013, according to PwC research compiled by the Local Data Company.

A study of 500 town centres across the UK showed that the Yorkshire & Humber region saw 244 outlets close in the first half of 2013.

During this time there were 265 openings, giving the region a net increase of 21 stores, a vast improvement on the net decrease of 42 for the first six months of 2012.

Yorkshire was head and shoulders above any other region.

The only two other areas to show growth were the East of England, which saw a net increase of seven and the South West, which saw a net increase of two.

Randal Casson, partner and retail specialist, PwC Leeds said: “It is still tough for the retail sector but this report shows that Yorkshire is faring well compared to the rest of the regions in the UK.

“The opening of the iconic Trinity centre in Leeds and the new Leeds Arena have been huge successes for the city and this increase in both leisure and retail openings has boosted consumer confidence and spending.”

Nationally, the rate of store closures fell slightly from a decline of more than 20 a day in the first six months of 2012 to 18 per day in the first half of 2013.

PwC said the research showed the changing profile of town centres as stores of a more traditional type, such as shoe and clothes shops, pulled down the shutters.

It said this was in stark contrast to a near tenfold increase in the opening of leisure chains including food, beverage and entertainment.

“The shifts in multiple retailers’ store portfolios are a barometer for changes in our society and its habits,” said Mr Casson.

“Closures in areas such as the photography and video sectors reflect the sea-change in how consumers are spending – the well-publicised insolvencies at Jessops and Blockbuster are stark proof of that.

“Women’s clothing store reductions reflect the intense competition in this sector, with so many fascias on our high streets.”

He added that more convenience shops have opened as multiple grocers seek ways to increase their market share.

The hardest hit were photographic shops, women’s clothing, video libraries, banks, recruitment agencies, shoe shops, furniture shops and travel agents.

Matthew Hopkinson, director of The Local Data Company, said: “This analysis of openings and closures in the top 500 town centres shows how significant the changes are to the make up of our high streets.

“The good news is that the significant decline in chain retailer numbers in town centres in 2012 is slowing down.

“That said, closer examination of the data shows the significant ongoing decline of traditional shops with food, beverage and entertainment taking their place. The pressure from online competitors, supermarkets and ‘out of town’ providers will only increase.”

While Yorkshire was the strongest region, the weakest was the South East, which is surprising given the region’s economic strength.

The demise of traditional shops is affecting every high street, irrespective of the area’s economic wealth.

The South East reported a net decline of 46, closely followed by the East Midlands, down by 44.

Video libraries were the worst hit sector, showing a 48 per cent decline.

The landmark £350m Trinity Leeds development is now 95 per cent let and owner Land Securities hopes to get it 100 per cent let by Christmas.

Land Securities’ portfolio director Gerald Jennings said: “The transformation that Trinity has brought to the prime retail core of Leeds has been tremendous.

“We have already attracted footfall of more than 11 million and the popularity of restaurants in the scheme and the Everyman Cinema has helped to extend the city’s night-time econo- my.”

The retail and leisure development opposite the Leeds Arena is 70 per cent let less than two months after the arena was opened by US star Bruce Springsteen.

The development’s owner Town Centre Securities said tenant demand had been encouraging and 60 per cent of the building was pre-let with another 10 per cent in solicitors’ hands.

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