Geograph - photograph every grid square

On 20 February 2012 the BBC reported �Northern Ireland continues to have the highest town centre shop vacancy rate in the UK, according to a new survey. The survey, on behalf of the British Retail Consortium, recorded high street footfall and shop occupancy. The survey reported that 14% of shops in Northern Ireland's high streets and shopping centres are empty, compared to the UK average of 11%�.
This shared description shows some of the vacant shops in the Belfast City Council district. There are many reasons why shops close including the expiry of a lease, illness/death, redevelopment, corporate acquisitions and rationalisations, reorganisation and insolvency. The photographs submitted by me appear as a matter of record only and do not attempt to comment on the reasons for closure. They should not be used to draw any conclusions and are unlikely to be suitable for business or academic research.
Note added 17 February 2013. This collection probably shows the peak of the recession in Belfast. Some of the premises have since been re-let and are trading with new occupants. I do not intend to add any further photographs taken after today.

Jessop's were formed in Leicester in 1935 by Frank Jessop.

They were once the largest specialist supplier of photographic equipment in the UK. At their peak they had 335 stores. In 2007 the company suffered financial crisis, due to increased competition from supermarkets and internet retailers, and had to close some stores.

In January 2013 the company went into administration and its 187 remaining stores across the UK closed on January 11th with the loss of 1,370 jobs.

The brand was bought by entrepreneur Peter Jones and relaunched on 28 March 2013. Up to 30 stores are expected to re-open.

Jessops were formed in Leicester in 1935 by Frank Jessop.

They were the largest specialist supplier of photographic equipment in the UK.

At their peak Jessops has 335 stores. In 2007 the company suffered financial crisis, due to increased competition from supermarkets and internet retailers, and had to close 81 stores. By January 2013 Jessops went into administration, closing all 187 stores.

In March 2013 well known entrepreneur Peter Jones took over Jessops and reopened 30 of the stores.