IT is not surprising that the high street is struggling. Consumer confidence is low, sales are falling, and the internet is an increasingly convenient way to shop.

Thorntons is among the latest casualties, with the chocolate maker announcing that it is to shut a minimum of 120 shops over the next three years.

Carpetright also says it could close up to 50 shops unless it can get rents reduced and TJ Hughes is about to go into administration.

The time will come when the economic downturn will come to an end – things will get better – though we fear there is a long way to go yet.

But the tide of the internet is unstoppable and more and more people will inevitably do their shopping online.

Therefore, town centres have to work harder and smarter if traditional shopping is to be preserved. The customer experience has to be improved, with retailers and local authorities having important roles to play.

Retailers have to provide the personal customer service that cannot be found via a computer.

And councils have to find ways to make it more convenient and welcoming for shoppers to come into town centres.

In too many towns, car parking is being used for revenue generation, with expensive charges and an overzealous approach to restrictions.

It is an approach which is putting shoppers off and accelerating the decline of the high street.