High street jobs woe

BRITAIN’S beleaguered high streets have seen nearly 20,000 jobs lost or put in jeopardy since Christmas, as retailers struggle with mounting costs and falling consumer confidence.

Numbers crunched by Altus for the Press Association reveal 18,722 roles have been made redundant or put under threat since December 25.

The figure, which amounts to around 400 jobs a day, reflects the collapse of several big high street names including HMV and Patisserie Valerie.

HMV’s store on Oxford Street, London, was among the casualties