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?

Around here, it is not only the high streets that have died: the retail parks are going the same way. Half of the stores in them have closed down, in addition the amenities like cinemas,

Business rates as the shops wouldnt close.
they would still get parking income from those who are there longer.

Yes, this. Councils are appalling at seeing the bigger picture, but it should be obvious to them that every boarded-up shop that might have closed partly/mainly/wholly because there was no convenient parking close by would, if still open and allowed to thrive, be paying them a hefty chunk of business rates which would mitigate the cost of providing parking.

It could also benefit the viability - and thus the safety of continued business rate income - of other shops as well, as multiple shops in one street act as an ecosystem, attracting people to come for the variety and ability to multi-task their shopping in one go.

As I said upthread, the enormous out-of-town shopping centre in our region could safely take thousands of pounds a day if they charged for parking; but the fact that they don't charge at all strongly suggests that they know they ultimately make far more money from income from the thriving shops and concessions who pay them rent to be there than they would if they charged shoppers to park, to be able to use the remaining shops that manage to survive with the decreased footfall.

There's also another large shopping centre, about the same distance from us, but in the opposite direction. I don't know what it's like, as I've never been there - because I can go to the other one for mostly the same shops but without having to pay several quid to park before I've spent a penny in any of the shops.

This.

The difference is in small towns the car parks are owned by the council and the shops are owned by commercial landlords. In the big shopping centres the landlord not only owns both but can charge a lot higher rent to cover the costs of providing car parking. It's much harder to balance in a town.

I’m in London, with a busy suburban high street at the end of my road. It’s definitely changed a lot in the 15 years I’ve lived here.

Clothes shops, 4 out of 6 banks, a big post office and a number of independent shops - a tea room, a school uniform shop, a dry cleaners/seamstress, seceral hair salons - have gone,

There are many more chain coffee and fast food outlets, also independent cafes. Multiple new grocery stores, mainly Turkish or Iranian owners, selling fruit & veg etc. A new Tesco Express and Sainsbury’s Local. Many pound shops selling random assortments of vapes & phone accessories and Chinese imported shite. Multiple new nail bars and barbers. A couple of new pubs.

The high street seems to have gone ‘lifestyle’ - food, drink, beauty. It’s still busy, but it’s changed a lot. Bloody delivery bikes clogging up the pavement and pulling out dangerously are my main bugbear!

Being London, the empty shops haven’t stayed empty for long. Three plots have been bought by property developers and turned into flats since the lockdown. it’s definitely a new world!

I live near a small market town that's had years of campaigns against large brands and the result is the death of the high Street. Its really shortsighted as if I go to Tesco or Boots I'm already there, so would also use the independent and local shops. Also, most retailers have missed the subtle point that the only difference between in store and online is customer service, if I walk in and you say I can buy xyz online...why would I come again 🤷‍♀️

Found this on FB, hope it's ok to post.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=603816921784344&set=a.457913849707986

As others have said peoples habits have changed and online shopping and retail parks are very big business- which leaves the high st for businesses that are experience rather than 'stuff' - the thing is whilst this might work quite well in places that are attractive and with a tourist angle like here in Bath or Winchester, York, Canterbury, Brighton , Norwich , Cambridge etc - it doesn't play out well in towns that aren't exactly great for a scenic wander and a coffee. Hence why the places I mentioned are often rammed in school holidays or a sunny weekend and other places are dead asa dodo.I'm not sure what the solution is to be honest other than allow space for business that will bring people into town, kids play centres etc

Ours has been dead for twenty years,even the charity shops are struggling.

The difference is in small towns the car parks are owned by the council and the shops are owned by commercial landlords. In the big shopping centres the landlord not only owns both but can charge a lot higher rent to cover the costs of providing car parking. It's much harder to balance in a town.

But do the councils not collect business rates from trading companies? Rates that are not collected from empty/closed-down shops? Plus, empty shops don't provide any employment opportunities and can be a magnet for crime, that costs the community more.

My point is just that free car parking obviously acts as a catalyst to much greater takings in shops - however the costs and benefits are nested throughout those involved - meaning that, in brutal terms, expensive parking charges can sound the death knell for town centres. Then, if there are no longer any shops to attract people, nobody will have a reason for using the car parks, so the council neither get the income from parking nor from business rates.

The free parking isn't working in Bedford. It's been in place for some time. 2 hours free. Half the shops are empty.

I was sad to hear the Book Depository website was closing down but then thought I'm sure all the book shops (globally!) are thrilled so that's one, admittedly tiny, retail sector that might get a bit of a boost

I e heard today that River Island is closing in our nearest town. The only clothes shops left are TK Maxx, New Look, H&M, Mint Velvet, Phase 8 and a very tired M&S. none of those appeal, either because of the clientele they aim at or the prices they charge.

We used to have Monsoon, Jacques Vert, LK Bennett, Oasis, HoF, Gerry Weber, Next, as well as loads of independents. No point going now, unless you want to go to The Ivy or Brasserie Blanc.