What do Dewsbury, Dudley, Hartlepool, Margate, Stockport and West Bromwich have in common?

This is my starter question for the students this week, and brownie points to anyone who knows the answer without having to read on…

Yep- you guessed it! (or maybe not- better luck next time). These 6 towns have the dubious honour of having the highest number of vacant shops in Great Britain. There’s a full report on Newsnight on Tuesday 6th September (usually available shortly after via iPlayer), and an article and short interview on the BBC website here with Mary Portas- who David Cameron hopes is going to ‘save’ Britain’s struggling high streets in her current review for the government. She’s certainly got her hands full with these towns!