100,000 High St jobs vanish

ALMOST 100,000 retail jobs have been axed in the High Street over the past three years, figures reveal.

Labour analysis of Office for National Statistics data shows jobs in retail shops plunged by 98,000 between June 015 and June 018. Crippling business rates, soaring rents and an onslaught by online retailers such as Amazon has hit chains such as Marks & Spencer, New Look, Mothercare and Carpetright.

Last week John Lewis admitted profits plunged by 99 per cent to just £1. million

in its half-year results, while the future of House of Fraser stores remains in doubt. Poundworld, Maplin and Toys R Us have already gone bust this year.

Labour has now called on the Government to create an official landlord register to determine the number of empty shops in each area and an inquiry into extortionate parking fees, in addition to overhauling business

rates. The suggestions chime with the Mail’s Save Our High Streets campaign.

Around 50,000 retail jobs have already been lost this year and 61,000 stores have shut in the past five years. More than one in ten shops are empty.

Shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey said: ‘Our High Streets are dying.’ But a Government spokesman said: ‘We have introduced over £9billion of business rate support. This Government is committed to supporting High Streets to grow and thrive.’