30 May 2013, 2:54 pm
The research found that, although the number of vacant shops has gone down in seven of the towns in the last year, more shops have closed than opened overall. In total, about 700 units closed while fewer than 600 opened, with a loss of 95 units overall, the BBC said.
It said that only two towns, Bedminster and Margate, had retail added units in the last year. The remaining pilot towns include Bedford, Croydon, Dartford, Liskeard, Market Rasen, Nelson, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Stockport, Stockton-on-Tees and Wolverhampton.
The Government launched the fund last year to implement recommendations from Mary Portas review of the High Street. The pilot towns were selected as promoters of innovative ways to get people to use their local shops and to boost the local high streets.
The BBC has previously reported on a freedom of information request which revealed that the 12 pilot towns had only spent 12% of the £1.2m granted to them.
"There is no simple solution to the crisis on our High Streets," said Mary Portas to the BBC. "There are no quick fixes but 400 towns up and down the country are working on different plans to try and reinvigorate their High Street. Let's celebrate their achievements so far and learn and share ideas. Real change will take time," she said.
