The queues outside the shops don't tell the whole story - Britain's independent stores are facing their biggest challenge yet

James Moore's trips to Westfield and Brick Lane on Monday expose the stark reality for thousands of independent retailers as the Covid recession looms

Councils in England spent over £800m last year to support economic development in their town centres (PA)

My experience at two very different shopping centres on the day that 'non-essential' retailers threw open their doors gave a stark picture of the economic challenge facing Britain in the months ahead.

First I took the temperature at Westfield Stratford City, east London’s great temple of consumerism.

If you’re after a chain, the chances are it will have an outlet there.