The writing could literally be on the wall.

Some of the brand names which have been commonplace in our towns and cities are gradually disappearing, prompting the question whether internet shopping could be having a detrimental effect on our high street.

For some consumers, heading out into the high street where they can view, touch and feel the goods they will potentially purchase is all part of a pleasurable shopping experience.

But for others, the ease and convenience of browsing and buying at the touch of a button on the computer keyboard is far more appealing than traipsing round.

Matthew Hopkinson, director at the Local Data Company, says there has been a fundamental change with less need for so many shops and also the fact that fewer schools and homes are now located within towns and cities.

“People lived and worked in towns. They don’t do that now. Schools are built outside and homes are built outside.”

The introduction of new technology has also made shopping an experience, rather than a necessity. At the touch of a button your local supermarket can deliver goods to your door.

In the past few months, brand names such as Comet, and more recently Blockbuster and Jessops, who had a presence in Bradford, have closed down. Millets, the outdoor clothing suppliers, is the city’s latest high street casualty.

Analysis by The Local Data Company of Stead & Simpson, Jessops, Comet, HMV and Blockbuster stores show that more than 1,400 stores are at risk of closure, or have already closed, creating some big holes on the ‘high street.’ “The administration and potential closure of over 1,400 stores in less than a month far surpasses Woolworths 807 in January 2009. This has the potential to increase the national shop vacancy rate by nearly five per cent to an all-time high of more than 19 per cent if all the stores close and are not reoccupied.”

Coun David Green, leader of Bradford Council and portfolio holder for strategic regeneration, says the closure of big chain stores isn’t unique to Bradford.

“The situation with the big chains like Jessops, like HMV, is not a Bradford phenomenon.”

He says the fact they have run into difficulty doesn’t reflect badly on Bradford. “It is a national problem. These shops may well close in all the towns and cities where they are at the moment, so that in itself is more of a reflection of both the current economic problem we have as a country, but also internet shopping.

“I do think some of these shops have been affected by a rise in internet shopping. The sort of goods these shops sell are goods that a lot of people are now going to the internet to buy or to download.

To an extent, it also reflects the change in shopping habits for those sort of goods and also the fact that many of these can be bought and, particularly music, are widely available and cheaper online.”

Coun Green says he believes the high street will change. “I think those high streets that survive and prosper will be those that adapt and are flexible.

“I think the high street will look different and will be used differently. There will always be retail units, leisure units and food outlets on our high streets, but what they will be selling and how they will see it may well be totally different to where they are now.”

Bradford is keen to promote itself as a vibrant city. The launch of the multi-million pound City Park is a positive initiative, but the city cannot afford any more empty retail units dominating its high street. Eighteen per cent of the city centre shops are currently empty.

Coun Green says the launch of the Growth Zone, an initiative to help and support new and expanding businesses with their business rates, is one incentive to encourage entrepreneurs to set up stall here.

“When Westfield is open, we need to ensure we retain the unique selling point for people to come into Bradford and shop at Marks & Spencer and Debenhams and Next in there, rather than in all the other city centres and out-of-town shopping centres.

“What will do that is a particularly strong independent sector that will provide some of the sort of uniqueness people are looking for to go with whatever they are buying from some of the big chains, and that is what we are looking to support and develop.”

Vaughan Houldsworth, a partner at Naylor Wintersgill accountants in Bradford, believes the recession and the internet have contributed to the demise.

“However, there are retailers who are doing very well like John Lewis, Waitrose and Halfords, but the problem is businesses like HMV, Blockbuster and Jessops have not altered their selling proposition to keep up with the changing market,” says Vaughan.

“The other thing is supermarkets. They have kept up with the changing market.”

“It’s like an industrial revolution in a different sort of way.”