A strong majority (85%) of people think Britain’s high streets are in bad health, according to a YouGov survey commissioned by Channel 5.
More than eight in ten (85%) Brits believe that town centre shops and high streets in Britain are suffering, with only one in ten (10%) saying that these stores are in good health. This follows reports that well-known high street retailers such as HMV, Jessops and Blockbusters have all gone into administration this month alone.
When asked about their local high street, 69% of the public think it is in bad health, compared to a quarter (25%) who say it is doing well.
Londoners optimistic
People living in London are the most positive about their high street shops, with over a third (35%) stating that they are in good health. Those in the Midlands and Wales are least optimistic about their local high street, with only 19% saying shops in these areas are doing well.
- Six in ten Londoners (60%) think their local high street is doing badly, compared to 35% who think it is in good health
- 65% of those living in the rest of the South believe shops on their high street are in bad health, while 29% disagree
- Almost three-quarters (73%) of Northerners think that retailers in their area are suffering, and 24% say they are doing well
- 75% of people living in the Midlands and Wales believe their local high street is in bad health, while only 19% disagree
High street shoppers
Our poll also reveals that only one in ten (10%) Brits shop on their local high street all the time, while 43% say they shop there fairly often. In contrast, 42% of people admit they do not use their local high street very often, while 3% never shop there.
