LIVERPOOL is among the worst hit when it comes to empty retail space.
According to figures released by the Local Data Company (LDC), the city has over 20% of its retail capacity vacant.
Vacancies have struck England and Wales with varying degrees of ferocity as northern regions were hit much harder than elsewhere, according to the LDC.
The report indicated that the recession had hit independent stores hardest, with nearly 12,000 shops shut this year, compared with nearly 7,000 chain outlets.
LDC said that the worst- performing region was the North, which has seen vacancy rates double since the middle of last year.
LDC said: “Just as thriving town centres demonstrate vitality, empty shops lay bare weakness and failure.
“Empty shops have a corrosive effect upon the confidence of any area - and their numbers are growing.”
