Shropshire high streets suffering from empty shops

The data, released as part of an annual report on retail trends, shows that the vacancy rate for the whole county is 11 per cent. Within that, Telford's vacancy rate is 17.1 per cent.

But the study shows that, relative to other areas of the Midlands, Shropshire fares well.

Both figures compare favourably to nearby Walsall, where 22.8 per cent of its shops were vacant in 2016 – the worst retail vacancy rate in the region and the ninth worst in the UK.

The latest report shows that across the country, there was an increase in shops closing in the run up to Brexit, with a peak reached at the time of the referendum last year.

Across England, where the vacancy rate is on par with Shropshire's, the top five types of stores to close over the last year were banks, convenience stores, women's clothing shops, fashion shops and pubs.

The trends have been reflected across the county, with banks closing in Whitchurch, Wem, Ludlow, Knighton, Leominster throughout last year. The closures, which banking bosses have said follow a change in customer behaviour with many switching to online, have been contested by MPs and councillors but many have gone ahead regardless.

However according to the report, during the final quarter of 2016, the country saw more shops opening and the positive trend has continued into 2017.

Overall, 2016 saw a net loss of 1,650 shops, equal to just under five per day.

Matthew Hopkinson of Local Data Company, which compiled the report, said: "It was clear at the halfway stage in 2016 that both openings and closures had slowed sharply by the date of the EU referendum vote.

"In a year of surprises, what followed was a bump after the slump."