MORE than two-thirds of all shops in Potters Bar are independents, a new report into the growing phenomenon of clone towns has found.

The study, published today (Wednesday) by the think tank New Economics Foundation, analysed a total of 87 towns across the UK and found that just 31, including Potters Bar, had retained their distinctive character.

A further 36 settlements, including Borehamwood, suffered the ignominy of being classed as a clone town, where more than half of the shops are chain stores.

Meanwhile, 20 towns, including WGC and Stevenage, were found to be on the verge of becoming clone towns.

For more on this story, see this week’s Potters Bar Edition, out now