One in ten shops will stand empty by February as the crisis on the high street pushes store vacancy rates to record levels, according to research out today.

Property consultancy firm Experian expects UK vacancy rates to rise to 15 per cent, or 135,000 outlets, by the end of 2009 – the highest ever recorded for the UK. The prediction comes as county stores face closure.

Experian said small market towns would be the hardest hit as retailers continued to crumble under the strain of high costs and falling consumer demand. 

Failed childrenswear firm Adams closed its stores in Shrewsbury and Oswestry yesterday and hours later perfume retailer Passion for Perfume, which has a store in the Pride Hill  centre collapsed into administration.

The Hunky Dory Bag shop on Roushill, Shrewsbury, has also closed its doors with company bosses deciding to concentrate on internet sales due to high town centre rates.

The newly closed stores are just yards from Zavvi and Whittards on Pride Hill. Both stores are in administration but remain trading.

Experian claimed a total of 90,000 shops could be vacant by next month as price pressures overcome retailers.

Jonathan de Mello, director of retail consultancy, said: “The unprecedented level of retail vacancy will be disproportionately spread across Britain, so that smaller retail destinations, in particular market towns, will be worse affected.”

By David Burrows and Rhea Parsons