© Licensed to London News Pictures. 30/07/2021. LONDON, UK.  People pass the GAP store on Oxford Street which will be closing soon. According to a report from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Local Data Company, one in seven shops across Britain is empty as retailers continue to suffer the effects of the Covid pandemic on footfall and customers move to online shopping.  There is a sharp divide between the south of England, including London, with lower vacancy rates compared to the north of the country.  Photo credit: Stephen Chung/LNP