Independent retailers opened in UK

Three times as many independent run retail stores opened on UK high streets

in 2011 compared to outlets opened by large multiples, new statistics released today show.

Following on from its most recent report into shop vacancy rates last month, the Local Data Company has now revealed that while the number of multiple retailers in the top 500 town centres in the country shrank by 0.25 per cent last year, the number of independents actually grew 2.4 per cent.

Matthew Hopkinson, Director at the Local Data Company, said: “This report shows how significant independents are to the future of our High Streets particularly now as chain stores reduce their numbers.

“It also challenges the common view that independents are an endangered species being killed off by supermarkets and the internet. In many towns they are the mainstay and are at the forefront of the move for communities to keep spend local in their economy by supporting the local independent businesses.”