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Around 61 shops were forced to close every working day during 2019, as the crisis engulfing the retail sector continued to get worse.

Across the ������Ƶ a total of 16,073 shops closed their doors during 2019, 10% more than the 14,583 stores which closed in 2018.

The data has been collected by the Centre for Retail Research as part of its Retail In Crisis report.

High street retailers failed to turn their fortunes around in 2019, with many businesses still struggling against low footfall and increased competition from online sellers.

But companies also faced added cost pressures due to the increase in the national living wage and the continuation of high business rates.

Large companies were not spared tough trading conditions, with the report finding that the number of stores closed by retail chains increased by 79%, from 3,303 to 5,901 during the year.

The situation could also get worse next year as a number of major retailers deal with the fall out from 2019. This includes the likes of Debenhams, which entered administration in 2019, and later agreed to close 50 of its stores. The first 22 are set to shut next year.

Babywear chain Mamas and Papas also entered administration this year, and was bought in a pre-pack deal. Despite this the firm plans to close six of its 32 stores.

Rival babywear retailer Mothercare also entered administration in November. Administrators are attempting to sell the business but have already announced that stores will close.

Other companies that to enter administration during the year included Bon Marche, Clintons, Select Fashion, Karen Miller, Jack Wills, and Bathstore.

Professor Joshua Bamfield, director at the Centre for Retail Research, anticipates another tough year ahead for high streets, forecasting that store closures will rise by about 9% to 17,565 during 2020.

He said: “The commercial pressures of higher labour costs, business rates and relatively weak demand will continue to undercut profits and force the weakest companies to close stores or enter administration. The high street and suburbs will continue to decline.”

He added: “In 2020 further announcements from companies that have already gone through CVAs or administration may well result in cutbacks on their existing operations.”

But while large businesses suffered, independent retailers fared better, with the number of closures falling by 10% over the year. In 2019 10,172 shops independent stores closed, compared to 11,280 in 2019.