THE Great British high street is being allowed to “wither and die,” a trade union leader warned today as it reported that 135,000 retail jobs have been lost during the pandemic. 

Analysis of official figures by the GMB union found that in 2019 there were an estimated 1.2 million sales and retail assistants, cashiers and check-out operators. 

But by 2021 that number had dropped to just under 1,075,000 — a fall of almost 135,000 workers.

The figures compare Office for National Statistics Labour Force Survey data for October to December 2019 with those from September to November 2021. 

It comes as Wilko announced store closures across Britain with two in Stockton and The Fort due to shut down next week, becoming the latest retail giant pushed into collapse during the pandemic. 

GMB national secretary Andy Prendergast said: “The Great British high street is being allowed to wither and die.  

“These are vital businesses that drive our economy and help our communities thrive. 

“GMB calls on councils and landlords to review commercial leases and offer lower rents – while our business rates system is archaic and no longer fit for purpose.”

Retail workers’ union Usdaw said the government must work with unions and businesses to develop an “urgent recovery plan for retail.” 
 
Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis said: “We urgently need to level the playing field between online and bricks-and-mortar retail.

“A 1 per cent online sales levy could raise around £1.5 billion and fund a 20 per cent cut in the current outdated and imbalanced commercial property tax.”

He added that a recovery plan must also involve improving conditions for retail workers. 

“For retail to prosper, we need to make sure that retail jobs are good jobs. We hope the government is listening.”