Labour risks being “washed away in a tide of discontent” at the next general election unless it confronts the decline of Britain’s high streets, according to new research. Britain’s town centres now have at least 8,000 fewer retail premises than in 2019, with traditional retailers hit the hardest. Under its “Pride in Place” scheme, 250 towns across England, Scotland and Wales will each receive up to £20million to support local regeneration projects. Ministers have also unveiled a business rates discount for pubs and promised a broader high street strategy later this year. "Consumers have changed their habits, increasingly working from home and shopping online.”Business groups have warned regeneration cash alone will not reverse the decline | GETTYBusiness groups have warned regeneration cash alone will not reverse the decline.