Independent retailers – Telford and Solihull lagging behind

A COMPARATIVE SURVEY of the number of independent retailers operating in UK towns has revealed Telford and Solihull are in the bottom five.

Data released today by The Local Data Company and British Independent Retailers Association shows that traditional independent shops are declining at the fastest rate ever with a loss of nearly 200 shops in the first half of this year versus a total loss of just over 200 in the whole of last year.

But some towns are doing better than others.

According to the data Telford has fewer independent shops than any other town in the country (18.8%) while Solihull is third from last (24.3%).Tellingly both have large shopping complexes full of national chains.

Towns and areas at the top of the list include the London suburb of East Barnet (96.9%) and Glastonbury (89.1%).

Nationally, an increasingly large proportion of independent retail openings (200) are in the food and beverage sector including more than 60 new coffee shops.

Regionally, Wales has performed the best by going from a 3% loss of independents in 2012 to growth of 3% (+67) in the first half of this year. 

And the West Midlands as a region has done well, going from a 0.45% loss of independent retailers in 2012 to a 1.49% increase this year.

The East Midlands showed the greatest increase of independents at +110 units (+1.5%).

Independents now account for 66% of all retail and leisure units in Great Britain.

Matthew Hopkinson, director at the Local Data Company, said: “A very interesting first half to 2013 for independents.

“Key ‘storm warning’ changes are the 10% rise in openings and closures over the same period last year and the accelerating decline of comparison goods shops.

“This is not just about the internet and out of town competition but far wider business cost issues that make many businesses unprofitable.

“The good news is the significant leap in the number of cafes, bars and restaurants that are reflected in the net change of over 200 new units. Part of this is seen by the fight back by independent coffee shops to secure our daily caffeine fix.

“In light of the growth of the multiples in this area it is surprising to see such growth from the independents.”