Vacant high street shops has been a problem in the UK for the past 10-15 years. However, things are getting worse.

High streets have suffered and shops have closed mainly as a result of more people using the internet and buying goods online. Retailers have also moved from small high street shops to larger out-of-town stores where rents are cheaper. Shoppers prefer visiting these larger stores on retail parks as it is easy to park and parking is free. These problems haven’t been addressed by councils who have failed to improve dirty, unsafe and unsightly high streets. If high streets are to attract shoppers, councils need to invest in making them more attractive and more inviting. Small businesses have also been unable to compete with supermarkets who now sell everything including food, clothes, electrical goods, toys and furniture.

As a result of the above, many retailers, who we once saw on most high streets throughout the UK, have collapsed and disappeared. These include Woolworths, Top Shop, Debenhams, Thomas Cook, Oasis, Jessops, Laura Ashley, Clintons and Mothercare (Who’s gone bust retail). Some of their old shops are now occupied by coffee shops, mobile phone shops and charity shops whilst others still remain vacant.

Vacant high street shops not only make towns and cities look depressing but also damage the local and national economy. As more shops close, Council’s get less income from business rates. Further, fewer shops mean fewer jobs which means fewer people have money to spend. Owners of these shops also lose money by not having tenants and not getting any rent.

Covid gave our high streets a boost as people who started working from home returned to shopping on their local high streets. Also, the government relaxed planning laws which made it easier for landlords to change the use of their shops. However, this boost quickly came to an end when people returned to the office and interest rates and inflation started to rise.

In conclusion, retailers are still struggling and there are still too many vacant high street shops. Landlords are still seeing the value of their shops fall and the future does not look bright. There are answers to this problem. Reduce business rates, make parking free and improve the look and feel of high streets. However, this will all take time and cost money which are two resources which people don’t seem to have.