TV retail guru Mary Portas is reported to be getting ready to meet new Tesco UK chief executive Richard Brasher this week as part of her investigation into the plight of Britain’s high streets.

It will be her first meeting with a major retailer.

Ms Portas’s appointment to head a government-commissioned review of the problems facing UK high streets and the solutions needed to address them was announced by Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in May.

Last week, she made her first town centre visit. She went to the town centres of Rugby and Sparkbrook to speak with high street businesses, local authorities and shoppers.

Said Ms Portas: “I am visiting town centres across the country to find solutions for the problems that are blighting our high streets.

“Rugby and Sparkbrook are good examples of suburb towns that face tough competition being on the doorstep of a big city but have found innovative solutions to attract business.

“I hope to draw on the creativity of everyone involved in high streets whether they are independent shop owners, chain store managers, bookmakers, librarians or town centre managers.”

She added: “With town centre vacancy rates doubling over the last two years, the need to take action to save our high streets has never been starker.”