"A net 1,700 chain shops closed their doors in 2017, according to analysis of the UK’s top 500 towns compiled by the Local Data Company (LDC) for PricewaterhouseCoopers. An average of 11 stores a day opened, while 16 a day closed. The data does not include independent shops.

Fashion and footwear stores were the hardest hit in 2017, according to LDC, as shoppers’ freedom to spend on non-essentials was diminished by rising food price inflation, partly fuelled by the fall in the value of the pound after the vote for Brexit in 2016."

Of course to also introduce the growth of on line shopping and the meteoric rise of outlets such as Amazon have zero impact on high street closures. Also the argument the pound fell as a result of brexit or as a result of a long anticipated correction of the market also impacts the above discussion. Some would argue market correction was the driver. If this was the case the argument presented further fails.

Presenting the information quoted, while omitting facts of equal relevance, is merely a device to mislead the unwary.

Shame on you!