To think the high street is beyond rescue?

[Greyrootszerohoots]

So many changes to the way we shop, it seems like throwing money away to try rescue businesses with models that are outdated.

I wonder if more should be put into physical business that can’t exist online - food/drink and boutique/experiential shopping.

I’d love to see high streets that are pedestrianised green spaces with outdoor seating and places to gather. It could be so much more pleasant than the current badly maintained row of charity/discount/seasonal shops that so many town centres have become.

Of course, I have no solution to the huge job losses we’d face

I have not only a funny-shaped body, but also weird feet. If I had to order clothes and shoes online I have to send for dozens and dozens of things in the vague hope that even one item might fit even tolerably well. I'd then have all the hassle of sending all of it back and waiting for refunds.

Nah, stuff that for a game of soldiers, I need actual real shops. Then I can try on 40 or 50 pairs of shoes over several shopping trips and find one pair that not only fits, but are actually comfortable and look half-ok. Ditto jeans.

People laugh at how few clothes and accessories I own as it is! Some of my clothes are years old. Without some shops being open i will struggle and I'm also not keen on online shopping as it usually ends up going back ( which means a trip to town to the post office!)
..

I think it depends where you live to be honest. A naice affluent town will support boutique shops, upmarket delis and places to eat. People with money to burn will still want to mooch round the shops, stop for coffee or lunch etc. On the other hand our local town centre in the NW has been dying on its feet for 10 years at least. Debenhams will have closed by the time things open leaving a solitary M and S as the only department store serving a town of 200,000. Our market place shopping arcade was renovated a few years ago and a lot of long established independent market stalls selling literally everything were cleared away to accommodate the likes of hotel chocolat and pandora. Those shops up until lockdown were usually empty apart from at xmas etc, god knows how they stayed economically viable. The town is poor, wages low, most shops are cheapo pop up ones, charities, beauty/tanning salons and takeaways. One of the main thoroughfares is literally a long row of derelict shop fronts and kebab shops. Can't see things improving anytime soon or any kind of diversification.

Local elections soon. Perhaps we should be asking those standing as local councillors what their vision is for the rejuvenation of the High Street. It affects all of us. Even if shopping is out something needs to happen to them. They are hubs and if they are left to fall derelict very quickly there will be anti social behaviour which will filter out to the surrounding area.

Shopping is one of my favourite pastimes and I don’t enjoy online shopping
However a lot of the chains that are in trouble I stopped using years ago as very samey and a sea of polyester
I miss charity shops, antique shops, flea markets, outlet stores tkmaxx and quirky boutique shops
A town centre filled with them and lovely cafes would be my idea of heaven

@BigWoollyJumpers

Our, in my opinion stupid, council has just introduced a minimum £3 parking fee, albeit up to 3 hours. However, the net effect of this is that everyone local, but not walkable, now doesn't "pop" into town for the market, or for a coffee, or to pick up something they have ordered from the shop. I think this is so short sighted. Their rationale was that it will encourage people to stay longer and browse....... totally the wrong concept for a forward looking, modern town centre. Honestly, even if you are going in for lunch, you wouldn't need 3 hours!

Yes, you want the cheap,parking option to do this. I think this lack of parking options means people don't bother so much.

I sometimes used to pop into one on way home but don't want to pay for 2 hours, 1 hour was fine

I live near a working class but high income because of the large defence employer and it is awful, absolutely awful. I only go in once every ten days or so for the food/wine shop. There are a couple of good independent shops, including a quality butchers. But the M and S next to it has now shut and moved to another town so cutting down on footfall.

I combined it with going to the Building Society who no longer seem to want customers. Yes, you Nationwide with your rude, insulting manager who polices the sad queue outside humiliating and ridiculing your customers who apparently need educating. The final nail in the coffin of the high street.

should read "high income town"