The Local Data Company has jumped on board the Mary Portas Pilot project, which will see 12 trial high streets rejuvenated in an attempt to boost vacancy rates.
Towns including Bedminster and Croydon will share more than £1m of government money as well as receive support from the TV "retail guru" in an attempt to draw more people onto the high streets. The LDC has pledged to support this pilot scheme by providing an overview of the key attributes of each town and their shops, including vacancy rates and the ratio of independents to multiple retailers.

Local Data Company director Matthew Hopkinson said: "I am delighted to be able to support the first Portas Town team winners. As the data shows they are a diverse mix of towns with very different occupancy and vacancy profiles.

"I look forward to providing the most comprehensive data via the latest delivery technologies to enable each town to have a 'radar' of what is happening inside and within the vicinity of the town in terms of retail and leisure offer.

"Through a current and historical understanding of its profile and in combination with the Mary Portas team I hope we can assist in the £100,000 award being utilised to deliver the best possible results and thus be an example to many other towns up and down the country."