High streets were once bustling with butchers, fishmongers, greengrocers, electrical shops, newsagents, and grocery stores, where shoppers didn't need a bag for life or to flash a loyalty card. But then they changed, with charity shops, vape-sellers, and empty barbers taking over. Many blamed multinationals, recessions, the internet, politicians, and Amazon, but it was the shoppers themselves who stopped visiting, choosing retail parks and online shopping instead.
The Shift to Home Delivery
Today, people are too busy clicking on computers to buy clothes and books, and home delivery has become the norm. The evolution of low cost-base capitalism has made us home-delivery junkies, putting the beating hearts of communities on life support. Andy Burnham is right to talk about revitalising them, but encouraging 'butchers, bakers and bookshops' to return won't cut it. A complete rethink is needed on how old high streets can help solve today's problems.
Turning Empty Shops into Social Hubs
With a loneliness epidemic among the old and a mental health one among the young, high streets should be turned into hives of activity that lure people to socialise over coffee or beer, get coached in writing job applications, or learn a skill or hobby. A wine bar opened last year in an empty shop at the top of a road, and after three trips, the author knew more neighbours than in 22 years of living among them. These social hubs can be a vital lifeline for people who need company or contacts.
Using Retired Skills for Free Classes
Thousands of retired or semi-retired people have skills they'd willingly pass on for free. An electrician would love to teach the basics, a former lecturer is aching to give local history talks, and the author would be chuffed to be part of writing workshops. With government support, empty shops could become mini-gyms for free fitness classes or install computers to show people how to master the internet, trace family trees, or read papers. Increased footfall would see craft shops, cafes, and independent food shops pop up.
Modern capitalism would have us all sit at home buying products off our phones, and with the AI juggernaut approaching, things will only get worse. It's time to fight back and remember what high streets once were: somewhere you left the house to rejoin the wider human race. We need to make them that again. Couch potatoes of the world unite and get off your backsides. You have nothing to lose but your piles.
