About 20 shops in the town centre closed for one hour and switched off lights in support of the protest.

BBC: Sherborne residents protest against Tesco

Residents and traders are being asked to give their backing to the document which maps out Buckley's development brief for new shops in the town centre.

BBC: New moves to redevelop Buckley town centre

It has also increased its lead as the number one town in the region for 'pound shops', with eight operating in the town centre, two more than its nearest rival Sunderland.

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Some car parks and parking bays were also out of bounds but shops and businesses in the town centre were open as usual.

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Campaigners who fear out of town shops in Leighton Buzzard will drive people away from the town centre have protested at council headquarters.

BBC: Protesters against the Grovebury Road retail parks

Pembrokeshire council council hopes the scheme will encourage more people to use town centre shops for their festive shopping in the west Wales county.

BBC: Free parking in Pembrokeshire to boost Christmas shopping

The Grosvenor Centre in Northampton town centre is to be redeveloped, with plans for new shops, restaurants and public spaces.

BBC: Demand for Northampton's Grosvenor Centre start date

However, the firm Tesco said a third of staff for the store would be recruited from the long-term unemployed in the area and, as the only town centre supermarket, it would increase revenue to surrounding shops.

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As a large Waitrose and John Lewis opens on the outskirts of town, Ipswich Central said town centre buildings could not rely on new shops coming in.

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