Town centre stores get a welcome boost

Seven months ago the government asked retail guru Mary Portas to look into ways in which the decline of Britain's town centre shops could be halted. Her report was published yesterday and it lays most of the blame at the feet of our local councils.

Portas argues that they have discouraged shoppers from visiting Britain's high streets through high car parking charges, excessive regulation and encouraging the development of out-of-town shopping centres.