Store openings in the region outstrip closures

The number of store openings was higher than those closing across Yorkshire and the Humber as the high street continues to respond to customer demand and the continuing economic uncertainty.

According to PwC research compiled by the Local Data Company (LDC), which tracked 67,521 outlets operated by multiple retailers in 500 town centres across Great Britain, found that in the first six months of 2017, 219 shops opened and 207 closed across Yorkshire and Humber high streets resulting in a positive gain of 12 overall.

This represents a 23% increase in the number of retailers opening but only a 4.5% increase in the number of retailers shutting up shop in the region compared to the first half of 2016.

Seven town centres in the Yorkshire and Humber area did see a positive net change in the first six months of 2017, with Hull, Wakefield, Bradford, York, Huddersfield, Leeds and Barnsley all experiencing more openings than closures.

Sheffield and Rotherham had the highest net reduction in Yorkshire and Humber, followed by Scunthorpe, Harrogate, Beverley and Bridlington amongst others.

Tobacconists, satellite TV equipment services, café and tea rooms were amongst those growing at the fastest rate in Yorkshire and the Humber during the first half of 2017.

The data also reveals that across multiple retailers in the 25 town centres analysed in Yorkshire and the Humber, women’s clothes shops, furniture shops and travel agents have been amongst the hardest hit in the first half of 2017.

Dan Stott, partner and retail specialist at PwC in Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “It’s great to see a net increase in store numbers in Yorkshire and the Humber, with the local picture being better than in any other part of the country.  Hull has seen a particular boost in new store openings, underlining the importance of securing the investment, visitor numbers and profile as a result of being the UK City of Culture 2017.

!As expected, there have been a number of closures in the women’s fashion sector, but this is a result of the ongoing shift towards online sales rather than any underlying decline in consumer confidence.  Cafes and tea rooms have fared particularly well highlighting Yorkshire’s ever increasing reputation as a great place to visit.”