High street’s best month in two years

Theuk high street has enjoyed its best month in almost two years as the weak pound led to an influx of British “staycationers” and overseas tourists.

Like-for-like sales were up 2 per cent last month, making it the best month since September 2015 and the best August since 2013, according to accountancy and advisory firm BDO’S High Street Sales Tracker. BDO’S figures show a marked rise in staycations and an influx of overseas tourists – driven by the weak pound – helped push sales of lifestyle goods up 3.1 per cent.