The number of store closures on Britain’s streets rose in the first nine months of the year, according to a study by PwC and the Local Data Company.

The number of town centre closures was 964, two and a half times the number seen in the whole of 2013, incorporating the collapse of businesses such as Phones 4U and La Senza.

Clothing shops, travel agents and pawnbrokers were hit particularly hard although betting shops thrived.

Mark Hudson, retail leader at PwC, commented: "We're heading for a High Street based around immediate consumption of food, goods and services or distress or convenience purchases.

"I'm not sure that's what customers really want - but consumer and business economics are pointing in that direction at the moment.”