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New survey reveals the need for our vision
(June 07, 2011)Rates, rents and big retailers are killing our High Streets say consumers - we would add our council to this list.
Shabby, poor choice of shops and high prices – this is the damning consumer verdict on the state of Britain’s High Streets today according to a new report from uSwitch.com:
- Less than half of Brits are proud of their local town centre (49%)[1]
- Declining pride: a quarter of people (25%) used to be proud of their local town centre, but aren’t any more[1]
- Two in ten shoppers (22%) have already turned their backs on their local High Street while just 6% of people remain loyal to theirs[2]
- Poor choice of shops (41%), high prices (29%) and shabbiness (12%) are driving people away from their local High Street[3] – while a quarter of people (25%) blame the recession for closing shops down[3]
- Vacant shops are a turn-off – Brits blame high rents (66%), high rates (60%) and the fact that small businesses can’t compete with the big retailers (64%)[4]
- 97% of Brits care about their local High Street - 61% think it is vital to the local community[5].
The Government review, spearheaded by retail guru Mary Portas and designed to
breathe new life into Britain’s ailing High Streets, cannot come soon enough
according to a new report out today by uSwitch.com, the independent price
comparison and switching service, in conjunction with research company,
EasyInsites.
It reveals that less than half of Brits (49%) are proud of their
local town centre. More worryingly, a quarter of people (25%) used to be proud,
but aren’t any more[1] – a sad indictment of how Britain’s High Streets are
going downhill.
Poor choice of shops (41%), high prices (29%) and
shabbiness (12%) are driving people away from their local High Street. The high
cost of parking a car is an issue for almost a quarter (22%) while 25% lament
the fact that the recession has closed shops down[3].
The picture being
painted is of a place people want to get away from, rather than go to. In fact,
two in ten shoppers have already turned their backs on their local High Street
(22%) choosing to shop in shopping centres, retail parks or online instead. Just
6% of loyal shoppers use their local High Street religiously[2].
Boarded
up and vacant shops are the biggest culprit for making Britain’s High Streets
look shabby (69%)[6]. People blame high rents (66%), high rates (60%) and the
fact that small businesses can’t compete with the big retailers (64%)[4] for the
rash of vacant shops scarring High Streets up and down the country.
Despite this, almost a quarter of people (24%) would like to see their
local town centre get a new lease of life through the arrival of a big name
department store, such as John Lewis or House of Fraser. At the same time,
almost two in ten (19%) would like to see new independent retailers such as
florists, greengrocers, bakers and butchers, livening up their main shopping
street. Just over one in ten (14%) would like to see a farmers market set up in
their town centre[7].
The majority of Brits, 97%, care about their local
High Street with 61% saying that it is vital to the community[5]. They believe
it is the lifeblood of their area because it provides local jobs (80%), is
invaluable to those unable to travel, such as the elderly (77%), provides
essential services and products (58%) and creates a feeling of local pride
(47%)[8].
With so much depending on Britain’s High Streets
unsurprisingly 67% of Brits support the idea of an independent Government Review
headed by retail guru Mary Portas[9]. As part of the rescue plan, they would
like to see free car parking to encourage shoppers back into town (76%), more
variety (41%), cleaner pavements and streets (54%) and fewer charity shops
(42%)[10]. Whatever the outcome of the review, what is clear is that Britain’s
High Streets are letting consumers and their communities down.
Ann
Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, says: “Britain’s High
Streets should be the lifeblood of the local community – instead they are dying
on their feet. High rents, rates and the recession have forced many retailers
off the High Street altogether, while preventing new independents or start-ups
from taking their place. Consumers often blame the larger retailers for the lack
of choice on our High Streets, but the reality is that very often it is only the
draw of a larger store that is keeping some town centres
alive.
“The good thing is that 97% of consumers care about their
local town centre – they want to see it thrive and they would like to be able to
spend their money there. We are living in financially difficult times so
anything that can relieve this pressure, such as free car parking for shoppers,
will go down well. Yes this would cost local councils money, but we would all
see the reward in a boost to civic and community pride.”
Steve Dancey added: ''We all know that our high streets are declining rapidly with ours being helped along by Wiltshire Council which is charging for parking and ruined the High Street and Market Place with a grandiose poorly thought out road scheme.
''By the time these policies are rectified it will be hard to repair the damage but our proposals for Civic Pride will help.
''The arrival of Waitrose and maybe the renaissance of the Town Hall could yet spell a golden age for the town if handled properly.''
|
| Proud of local town centre | Used to be proud but not any more | Poor choice of shops | Shabby | High street is vital to the community |
| East of England | 50% | 26% | 39% | 8% | 65% |
| London | 53% | 23% | 38% | 6% | 70% |
| Midlands | 48% | 32% | 40% | 10% | 58% |
| North East | 53% | 25% | 45% | 15% | 59% |
| North West | 52% | 23% | 33% | 11% | 52% |
| South East | 47% | 22% | 45% | 11% | 66% |
| South West | 57% | 18% | 39% | 13% | 65% |
| Scotland | 37% | 24% | 49% | 18% | 56% |
| Wales | 46% | 30% | 41% | 13% | 63% |
| Northern Ireland | 36% | 27% | 27% | 9% | 55% |
| British average | 49% | 25% | 41% | 12% | 61% |