High street in crisis: Traders battle against out of town retail and online shopping

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Resilient businesses fight to keep afloat against economic pressures of shifting consumer habits and the Covid 19 pandemic.

Bustling high streets all over Britain have shrivelled into shadows of their former selves after facing economic pressures of online shopping, the Covid 19 pandemic and shifting consumer habits. This film dives into the heart of our struggling high streets, voicing opinions from the local community and shedding light on the stories of business owners who have weathered countless storms.

Challenges for independent businesses - Sheffield

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sheffield is home to the popular Meadowhall out of town shopping complex. We caught up with the owner of the Alternative Store in the city centre, Stuart McAdie to see if competition from the nearby complex has put a strain on business. Stuart explained that there’s been lots of change in the 32 years he’s been there, presenting new unique challenges. He added, “It’s not easy, but it’s about building reputation with customers.”

Saving our high streets

He said that the council could help by getting people back into the city centres and strengthening public transport links. Stuart would like to see parking being made cheaper and less limited as previous parking areas have been transformed into blocks of flats. He added, “Free parking on a Sunday, let’s get Sunday’s buzzing! I think that would be really good for us and for everybody else.”

As independent businesses continue to compete with larger chains, Stuart urges for lower rates for independent businesses and additional support.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Let’s support the small businesses, let’s support the independents as much as we can and not just make it about big chains because that takes money out of the city,” he said.

“Try and develop more local businesses, more independent businesses and keep the money churning internally within Sheffield - that’s got to be good.”

The collapse of retail chains - Sunderland

Sunderland city centre has seen the loss of a number of retailers over recent years, partly down to the collapse of retail chains. The big shopping brands are mainly concentrated in the shopping centre The Bridges. The centre boasts household names such as Boots, HMV, Waterstones, Next, River Island and Primark. But one well known store that can no longer be found as of May 2024 is Marks and Spencer. 

Thoughts from M&S and the public

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

M&S explained, “Shopping habits are changing, so we’re rotating our store estate to make sure we have the right stores to offer customers a brilliant shopping experience.” As part of that rotation, M&S opened a new store on the Galleries Retail Park in Washington - 6 miles from The Bridges shopping centre. The new store replaced an older M&S food hall at the retail park. 

Local shoppers expressed their sadness for the shop closure, one saying: “I’ll miss Marks and Spencer Sunderland very much. I’ve been going there for 50 years and I also worked in the shop in the 70’s, I think it’s terrible.”

Check out 5 similar episodes on Shots! TV

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

1. The State of the Streets: Are Our High Streets in Crisis? - After Wilko's sad demise, we sent our reporters out to check the pulse of a number of high streets around the country, and try to gain a diagnosis from shoppers on the ground.

2. Screenagers: The Digital Dilemma - It is a very modern dilemma. Should you give in to pressure and give your child a smartphone, or keep them away from the devices as long as possible?

3. Wheels of Justice: Cycling in the UK - Should cyclists face the same laws as drivers? We talk to both to find out what it's like on the roads of the UK.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

4. Last Orders: The Death of Nightlife? - The country's night time economy is facing multiple threats after a series of crises. We take a look at how businesses are coping, and what needs to be done.

5. Bankrupt Birmingham - Delve into the story behind Europe's biggest council financial crisis.

You can find Shots! on demand at www.shotstv.com and on Freeview channel 276.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

News you can trust since 1853
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice