Blow to retailers as 'Too hot to shop' weather leaves High St deserted

The High Street was deserted over the summer as it was deemed ‘too hot to shop’.

Shopper numbers were 3.1 per cent lower last month than in August last year, following a 3.8 per cent decline in July, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

The slump was just the latest blow to shopkeepers already battling soaring costs, higher taxes and subdued demand.

BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: 'Retailers don't need warm words, they need lower costs.

'With his first Budget weeks away, Chancellor John Healey has a chance to throw Britain's high streets a lifeline.