16 shops closed every day in 2013

Mike Jervis, insolvency partner and retail specialist at PwC, said: "The trend of net closures for 2013 is encouraging and signals a return in retail confidence."

But despite easing conditions, the figures mark the third year in a row of a net reduction in retail stores, down 0.57pc overall.

The report showed photographic shops, women's clothing and fashion shops, banks, video libraries, travel agents, mobile phone outlets, recruitment agencies and shoe shops were among the biggest casualties in 2013 amid a shift towards online shopping and banking.

Mr Jervis warned that town centres were likely to continue to see net store closures as the switch online gathers pace.

He said: "Consumers are only at the start of the digital journey.

"Even though we may be on an upturn, we expect the pattern of net store closures to continue well into the future."

Retailers were also dealt a blow in Wednesday's Budget, with Chancellor George Osborne ignoring calls for widespread reform of business rates, which are seen as threatening the survival of many smaller shops.

The PwC report shows all regions across Great Britain saw a net reduction in multiple retail stores last year, except the east and south-west of England, where numbers increased by eight and 15 respectively.

The West and East Midlands were the hardest hit, with 75 and 70 net closures respectively.

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