The number of empty shops on UK high streets has reached its highest level in six years, with nearly 11% of premises vacant in July, up from 9.8% in January, according to retail analysis firm Springboard. Greater London suffered the worst blow, with empty shops increasing by almost two-thirds.
The rise in vacancies comes as visitor numbers to large city centres continue to drop. High streets saw nearly 40% fewer visitors in August compared with the same month last year. Diane Wehrle, insights director at Springboard, said: “The reality of the new normal has already started to bite. This result brings into sharp focus the difficulties faced by large cities in attracting customers back.”
Retail parks fared better, with visitor numbers down by just over 11% last month, while market and coastal towns benefited from the staycation trend. Seaside towns saw a 24% drop in footfall, and market towns experienced a 27% decline.
Mark Robinson, chair of the High Streets Task Force, said the pandemic has accelerated changes, leading to multifunctional town centres where empty shops are repurposed. He noted that people now prioritise living near essential services over long commutes. However, major chains including Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, John Lewis, Pret a Manger, and Pizza Express are closing outlets and laying off staff.
Wehrle warned that the retail sector stands “at the edge of a trading precipice”, with footfall only marginally boosted by government support and the end of the furlough scheme likely to raise unemployment. The head of the Confederation of British Industry has cautioned that city centres could become “ghost towns” without more encouragement for workers to return to offices.
