The association has reviewed the BBC analysis on data retrieved from the Ordnance Survey and has confirmed the changes.
The report, available to view here, was compiled from over 1.5 million records of mapping data, and shows that the number of clothes shops fell by 8.5%, while more than 800 high street banks and building societies also closed their doors during the pandemic.
Andrew Goodacre, ceo of BIRA, commented: “This report is interesting and confirms trends we have noticed over the past few years. There has been a growth in ‘service retailing’ and a decline in the traditional ‘comparison goods retailer’ – and the pandemic seems to have emphasised this change.
“The closure of large chains, and now banks, is well documented. We have seen many traditional indie retailers change their offer by including services – repairs, product hire and inclusion of cafes in the shop.
“We expect these changes to continue, but we must remember that every vibrant high street needs diversity and should not be dominated by any particular sector.
“A good high street is a series of inter-dependent businesses working together to create a great place to visit, and independent retail is absolutely integral to that future vision.”
