Survey comes as Iceland founder Malcolm Walker confirms he is in exclusive talks with liquidators to buy the frozen food chain
An average of 14 town centre chain stores were closed every day in 2011, but investment is still finding its way into the high street, with the management of supermarket Iceland confirming they have raised funds for an estimated £1.55bn buyout.
Multiple retailers closed more shops than they opened last year, for the first time since 2008, with the overall number falling by 174, some 0.25% of the total, according to a study of the 500 biggest town centres in the UK by PwC and the Local Data Company.
Those selling books, electrical items, home furnishings, menswear and holidays suffered most, along with off licences, bars and pubs. By contrast, pound stores, charity shops, credit unions, supermarkets and convenience food retailers all increased their store count. The news came as the Office for National Statistics prepares to publish retail sales figures for January, amid expectations of a fall after shoppers brought forward shopping plans in December in order to take advantage of widespread discounting.
The news should boost the bid by Iceland's founder Malcolm Walker to buy out his frozen food chain from liquidators for the collapsed Icelandic banks Landsbanki and Glitnir, who confirmed on Thursday they are in exclusive talks with management.
In an emailed statement, Landsbanki said: "It is expected that a formal sale agreement will be signed shortly and the banks will issue statements regarding the process."
Walker, who opened his first Iceland store in Shropshire in 1970 while holding down a day job at Woolworths, edged out bids from private equity groups Bain and BC Partners after the Icelandic banks offered him a £250m loan, according Reuters.
Management is reported to have secured backing from Dubai's Landmark Group, which already owns Carluccio's restaurants, and DFS founder Lord Kirkham. Talks will now begin with banks for a loan to fund the buyout.
In a statement, Walker said: "I am delighted that the Icelandic banks have recognised the importance of management to the continuing success of the business, and have been supportive in giving us the exclusive right to pursue negotiations with them. I have every hope that we will be able to bring these to a successful conclusion within the coming weeks."
Walker, who already owns 23% along with other managers, has six weeks in which to agree a deal for the remaining 77%.