Average retail voids have reached 11.2 per cent and are as high as 15 per cent in the worst hit areas, according to a report by property agent Cushman & Wakefield.

The report puts the increase in void rates, some 4 per cent higher than in a typical market, down to retail administrations, which now account for 3.3 per cent nationally.

Central London has the lowest amount of voids due to retailers falling into administration, with 0.6 per cent of stores on the capital's prime retail streets empty as a result of retail failures. But the figure is much higher elsewhere, such as in outer London, where 4.9 per cent of voids are empty due to administrations.

Scotland and the Midlands have the highest rate of voids in the UK, according to the report. Empty property on the high street has reached 15 per cent in both regions.

Cushman & Wakefield head of retail services John Strachan said: "At 11 per cent the average availability across the country has risen by around 4 per cent compared with more stable markets historically. Most of that increase appears to be the result of retailer administrations."