High streets face a “slow death,” following stiff competition from out-of-town supermarkets and shopping centres, according to a report by the British Shops and Stores Association.

The report claimed that 42 per cent of shoppers think their local high street has declined over the past decade. It said an increasing number of fishmongers, independent clothes stores, ironmongers and florists have disappeared. The study said more than 300 of the association’s 4,500 members – all small, independent stores – have vanished in the past year.

British Shops and Stores Association chief executive John Dean blamed the Government, local planning regulators and retailers for fall of the high street. He said: “The planning and tax environment is not conducive to attracting entrepreneurs to open shops. We’ve got to do something about it before it is too late.”

Dean said that too many high streets are unable to compete with out-of-town venues because of the lack of free parking. Smaller retailers also face above-inflation rent increases and business rate hikes.