THE government “cannot delay any longer” a plan to get the retail industry back on its feet, shopworkers’ union Usdaw has warned. 

Numerous retailers have slashed jobs, axed stores and secured restructuring deals to survive the Covid-19 crisis this year, as the pandemic led to temporary closures, social distancing measures and a sharp drop in tourist numbers. 

For companies such as Mothercare, Beales, Carphone Warehouse, Cath Kidston, Oasis, Warehouse and many more, the measures were not enough to stop them going out of business, putting hundreds of thousands of staff out of work. 

Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis told the Star: “The retail sector has been impacted on an unprecedented scale by the pandemic. 

“We cannot overstate the scale of the crisis for many high-street retailers, with over 200,000 job losses and 20,000 store closures this year.”

Mr Lillis said that the high streets had already been suffering, largely due to the “imbalance between bricks and mortar and online retailers.”

He added: “This, combined with the direct impact of the pandemic, has been catastrophic, pushing many retailers to breaking point. 

“So government action needs to be equally significant – we cannot afford for them to fiddle around at the edges.

“Usdaw is calling for an urgent retail recovery plan that addresses immediate and urgent priorities, including business rates and rents, to save jobs by supporting businesses at this difficult time.

“Retail is crucial to our town and city centres, employing around three million people across the UK and providing essential services in our communities.”

Usdaw’s Save Our Shops campaign “champions the importance of the retail sector, calling for government intervention and an industrial strategy for retail,” Mr Lillis continued.

“The government cannot delay any longer – we need a recovery plan to get the industry back on its feet now.”

Retail analysts have predicted that more debt-laden chains could disappear from the high street soon.

Debenhams is expected to cease trading for good in the new year, as the firm has said that it will shut all its stores by March at the latest unless a rescue deal is secured, which is seen as unlikely.

The company is currently in liquidation and selling off its stock after talks on a potential deal with JD Sports collapsed earlier this month.