Do you really think it's the death of the high street?

[HannahDee]

I've just heard that a local Barclays is closing and a much loved department store. Do you think death of the high street is really happening or are we making too much of it?

Totally agree - people living in the centre keep it alive.

No.pound shops here. They can't make a profit anymore on things costing a pound.

I've just heard that a local Barclays is closing and a much loved department store.

Presumably they are both closing because they didn't have enough customers to justify staying open? The problem, if there is one, lies at the hands (or feet) of the people in the town.

I can't stand online shopping. Even though I don't work any more I still can't be arsed with returning stuff that looked nice but either doesn't fit or is poor quality. I was trying to order swimwear recently and gave up as there was nowhere to buy locally and nothing suitable online - after about 10 attempts.
I don't know how people who work can find time to be taking stuff back.
I used to like a day out in Aberdeen to the big shops but even that's shite now.

I don’t think it’s dying, rather evolving.

I agree.

It will be painful in the interim and the local councils need to be forced by the electorate to address it properly.

I personally have not shopped for clothes, swimming costumes, handbags in store for some years now. There was a ripping point where it wasn't worth it for the returns hassle but most retailers have made that much more palatable now. I often order 4 or 5 sizes, after checking whether they offer free returns, which most reputable places do now, and send all or any back. I am lucky that I live near multiple places where I can easily do this either with Evri returns in local garages, or Amazon lockers, in local garages, the pharmacy, the supermarket. I do have a printer at home to print the bar code but you don't even need that anymore, you can scan them from your phone and get labels etc at the location. I just drop things on my way to work or when filling up with petrol.

I can't remember the time I last had to go into a bank, though I do appreciate for some their disappearance from the high street is annoying.

Tipping point

I also much prefer trying things on at home as well, where you can try with other clothes, shoes etc instead of hot, stuffy, smelly changing rooms with inadequate lighting and mirrors.

There was an M&S food locally and it was well used and popular

Sometimes they shut shops even if they are an asset as there is some national policy itms

@taxguru Your posts were spot on.
In the large city where I live, retail has been nudged to one area, & the other area which was SO vibrant when I was younger, will probably finish up as housing & attractive planted areas. Which is good, it will just take some time & meanwhile looks sad & run down.
The massive mall nearby is, as others have said, free parking - I personally don't drive (which also cuts down the many out-of-town centres I can get to) but why wouldn't drivers park for free? As a PP mentioned, city / town centres are still being operated as though we're still in the 80's. Back to the mall - I only really go to return goods bought online (eg New Look, Next) as all the shops are full of things you might want, but not need.. as another PP said, Pound shops to Chanel.. I used to like a browse around BHS, for example.. all gone.
I don't want / need £200 trainers, posh bath fizzers (omg, the stench of those shops!) new phones etc.. or cheap tat from shops with intruiging names so you get the impression they are 'high end'.. ;-)
If I want towels or a potato peeler, it's going to be online..

I don't think I've been in a bank branch for at least seven years.

Does anyone use them regularly barring the very elderly or those with significant special needs? Presumably if you can post on Mumsnet, you can use internet banking so so I would assume not.

I'm not sure you can expect private businesses like banks to maintain expensive real estate for a tiny number of customers with additional needs. Ideally they'd be a state owned bank at a state owned Royal Mail post office that perhaps the govt could support to stay open in more areas where people need more in-bank assistance.

*My parents are 74 and fairly sure they've not been to a bank branch for years either - so not saying all retired people are incapable of using online banking.

@mamabear715 to be honest things like towels or potato peelers are products easily bought from the high street from shops like Wilkos, B+M, Home Bargains, Poundstretchers, Poundland (it's not all £1 cheap stuff - their Pep and Co range is reasonable quality).
The fact people will buy a potato peelers online is exactly why the High Street is dying.

My small local town appears to be prosperous and thriving with a very strong food retail offer, several nice independent boutiques (aimed at quite middle-aged people), a Boots, Superdrug, WH Smith and a lively indoor market. Further out, there are three supermarkets, a farmer's merchant, dry cleaner etc, all with free parking. There are several town car parks but they are small, cheapish, short stay, or all day a bit further out for £2. And there's free on street parking around the compact centre of town, although the council would like to impose charges. It is possible to buy most things needed for everyday life, although I'd shop online for specialist items or a wider choice of clothing.

@Needmorelego I do agree - but you have to add on the cost of travel / parking too.

All round to @EffortlessDesmond 's town centre, it sounds lovely! :-)

@mamabear715 well yes unless you live walking distance from the shops you are going to have to pay costs to get there.

It does appear to be. Although I’m not surprised. Today I saw something my daughter wanted in Claire’s Accessories for £25, but the EXACT same thing was £10 on Amazon. I’m all for supporting the high street and also local business -use it or lose- however we’re all feeling the pinch so will save money where we can, which sadly may in turn spell the end of the high street.

It is, however if you walk down the road to Broadmead you will see a city centre very much in decline

@mamabear715 , yes it is... it's in Devon.

I'm genuinely stunned by the cost of things in Claires, especially now they are selling their stuff in Asda.

The other week, my kid wanted some hair clips. She picked some up in asda, without realising they were the claires brand. It was £10 for four clips! The asda own-brand version were £4 for exactly the same thing!

If councils gave half hour free parking it would make such a difference. People would get their click and collect in store, and pick bits up whilst there.

@Lisdeflores

Does Cribbs play a part in this

I don't live in Bristol but I remember going to the town centre before 2020

@VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji , I think this is a good suggestion. One of the reasons our small town is successful is that short term parking is free or cheap (50p for 30 minutes in the closest to the shops, with an hour maximum stay). Other towns nearby that have restricted parking are struggling to keep the town centres alive. It's a very rural area though, so almost everyone needs a car. It's probably a more difficult balance in a larger town with a big catchment.

*I don't think I've been in a bank branch for at least seven years.

Does anyone use them regularly barring the very elderly or those with significant special needs? Presumably if you can post on Mumsnet, you can use internet banking so so I would assume not.*

Business that accept cash and cheques do, they also collect change from banks so it's a bit worrying when they start closing first the banks, telling you to use post offices, then closing those too!

Not here but mostly cafes and independent shops

I have disabilities and can't drive, it's sad to see shops closing but for me, online is revolutionising my life, gives me far more choice nowadays.
I may pay more for convenience in some ways but the absolute joy of being able to shop second hand to my hearts content more than makes up for it.

Previously I'd only be able to go into accessible shops or rely on someone taking me (usually where they want to go).

Now I can ebay and vinted whatever I want.
I understand people like to try things, assess them in real life etc but for those of us who find that difficult, online shopping is fab.

Its been sad seeing small businesses coming apart but most of the ones I know who have folded were people selling luxury or lifestyle items that a) just don't fit our current pared back living or b) could still be found cheaper online cutting out the middle person who still has expensive shop rents and rates to pay.

There's only so much 'support your local business' you can do when money is tight.

when i see huge national shops falling prey to the retail space grim reaper , I feel for these hopeful small independent posting for us to support local businesses, and wonder how they think they might be safer than the established ones.

On the flip side, I still see plenty of people startup (via social media), I think are they super brave or do they have good backing / alternative income stream?