High street travel agencies are the next to be hit with the new trend of online shopping after 350 local travel agencies shut up shop in 2017.
According to the Local Data Company’s latest research, only 32 new travel agemts opened last year indicating a net decrease in operating high street agencies as reported by Tavel weekly.
Banks and estate agencies have also suffered closures, but travel agencies have seen the most significant loss.
Having looked at all industries in 500 town centres across Britain, the data found the high street has suffered from 5,855 closures.
A considerably higher figure than the 4,083 new openings reported.
These figures indicate the lowest number of openings since 2012 with 1,772 fewer stores operating on the high street.
The travel provider Thomas Cook announced it was closing 27 of its stores in March, putting 210 jobs at risk.
An announcement that followed the closing of 50 stores in December and 17 stores in April 2017.
Lisa Hooker at PwC, the company who commissioned the research, said 2017 had been “tough for the British retail industry, especially the second half of the year”.
She added: “It’s important to remember the British High Street still plays a vital role in society, and there are elements of growth amongst the headline numbers of decline.
Despite the number of closures across the county, some travel companies have announced openings.
Hays Travel, Savvi Travel, Tailor Made Travel have announced new openings wile Dawson & Sanderson and Lincolnshire Co-op have expanded to larger premises.
The high street store closures are not evening spread across the country.
The high streets in Greater London have suffered the most with a net loss of 336 shops.
South-eastern England lost 185, and the east of the country 184 stores.
Scotland suffered a loss of 148 ships, and Wales was the least affected with just 53 stores closing.
The research highlighted that Fashion and General clothing suffered the most significant net loss with over 700 stores lost.
Earlier in the year high street retailer, New Look announced it would close 60 stores in the next year cutting 1,000 jobs.
Restaurant chain Prezzo was also hit triggering an announcement of 92 restaurants across the UK.
Carpetright is also putting 300 jobs on the line after their announcement of 92 sit closures.
When questioned about the decision, Carpetright chief executive, Wilf Walsh, said it’s “tough but necessary action.”
A tone that shines across all high street boss closure decisions.
