SHOP closures in Yorkshire fell by 11 per cent in the first half of 2014 from 244 in 2013 to 216 this year, according to new figures from accountants PwC.

The research by the Local Data Company for PwC also shows that the rate of retail openings in the region has also fallen by more than a third this year, dropping from 265 in the first half of 2013 to 171, leading to a net reduction of 45 stores.

Toby Underwood, advisory partner at PwC Leeds, said: “The opening of Trinity in Leeds last year helped the region see a net increase in the number of shops across the region, but the figures this year are much more in line with the national story.

“I expect to see multiple retailers continue to approach openings in town centres very cautiously." This is likely to mean shorter-term leases and more temporary pop up type formats particularly in secondary locations. "

Failing retailers included pawnbroker Albermarle & Bond, which included Herbert Brown in Bradford and Keighley, and the Blockbuster video store chain, whose business became obsolete due to technology.

Travel agents and fashion stores were also under pressure from technology , said Mr Underwood.

He said: “The overall drop in store openings may look surprising given UK growth prospects but at a macro level, it is most influenced by shifts in retail business models from purely high street to multi-channel. The expanders are still the charity shops, the discount stores and supermarket convenience outlets. It’s good to see banks re-opening branches as ‘challenger’ banks grow and there is a new emphasis on retail offering by some of the established banks.”