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How the recession has changed your High Street How the recession has changed your High Street
(10 minutes later)
A year after we first visited Shirley High Street, the Magazine returns to witness how it has fared in the recession. Further down, we look at five ways the typical High Street has changed in the downturn.A year after we first visited Shirley High Street, the Magazine returns to witness how it has fared in the recession. Further down, we look at five ways the typical High Street has changed in the downturn.
"This is where Woolies had their clothes," says Stacy, standing by row after row of brightly-coloured washing detergents."This is where Woolies had their clothes," says Stacy, standing by row after row of brightly-coloured washing detergents.
The red Woolworths branding on the shelves has long been replaced by the logo of 99p Stores, which moved into this site in Shirley, Southampton, last December.The red Woolworths branding on the shelves has long been replaced by the logo of 99p Stores, which moved into this site in Shirley, Southampton, last December.
Within a few days days it was open for business, taking £76,000 in the first five days, 50% more than its bosses expected. Within a few days it was open for business, taking £76,000 in the first five days, 50% more than its bosses expected.
WHY SHIRLEY? One year ago, the BBC began monitoring ShirleyIt's a typical High Street, with a mix of independent and chainsA bus ride away from Southampton city centre, it has 259 businesses and 13,900 peopleOn Friday, shopkeepers will have their sayWHY SHIRLEY? One year ago, the BBC began monitoring ShirleyIt's a typical High Street, with a mix of independent and chainsA bus ride away from Southampton city centre, it has 259 businesses and 13,900 peopleOn Friday, shopkeepers will have their say
The loss of Woolworths in Shirley was echoed in more than 800 High Streets across the UK, ending a 99-year history in British towns and cities.The loss of Woolworths in Shirley was echoed in more than 800 High Streets across the UK, ending a 99-year history in British towns and cities.
It's a store greatly missed by Stacy Lee, 29, but her mum Carol is less reflective and comes to the 99p Stores three times a week. It's a store greatly missed by Stacy Lee, 29, but her mum Carol is less reflective and comes to 99p Stores three times a week.
Clutching a basket holding a crochet window curtain, a pack of Fox's Party biscuits and three bottles of Lenor fabric softener, she asks: "Where else could you get a six-foot blind for 99p?"Clutching a basket holding a crochet window curtain, a pack of Fox's Party biscuits and three bottles of Lenor fabric softener, she asks: "Where else could you get a six-foot blind for 99p?"
The shelves behind her resemble Woolworths of old, with felt tip pens, poster art sets and calendars. Indeed, it's said that some customers took three months to realise the shop was no longer Woolworths. The shelves behind her resemble Woolworths of old, with felt tip pens, poster art sets and calendars. Indeed, the manager says that some customers took three months to realise the shop was no longer Woolworths.
Even some of the staff remain. Cashier Maggie Bell was with Woollies for 20 years and now she's sitting in the same spot but with a different uniform.Even some of the staff remain. Cashier Maggie Bell was with Woollies for 20 years and now she's sitting in the same spot but with a different uniform.
IrritationIrritation
But it's not all business as usual outside. Crusty Cottage bakery opposite is to close down next week. Irene Parker, who has been there for 10 years, blames the disappearance of Woollies.But it's not all business as usual outside. Crusty Cottage bakery opposite is to close down next week. Irene Parker, who has been there for 10 years, blames the disappearance of Woollies.
"It changed a lot. There are less people down this end now. The 99p store gets quite a few in but I haven't seen them walking along this side of the road. The recession has had an impact, with a lot of shops closing and more charity shops.""It changed a lot. There are less people down this end now. The 99p store gets quite a few in but I haven't seen them walking along this side of the road. The recession has had an impact, with a lot of shops closing and more charity shops."
Changing facesChanging faces
The Manor pub has recently called "last orders", while a hair salon, a women's clothes shop and a stationery shop have closed their doors. But there are still far fewer vacant shops in Shirley than elsewhere - 7% is half the national average and one-sixth the level in some towns.The Manor pub has recently called "last orders", while a hair salon, a women's clothes shop and a stationery shop have closed their doors. But there are still far fewer vacant shops in Shirley than elsewhere - 7% is half the national average and one-sixth the level in some towns.
The street has three times the national average for charity shops and discount stores, according to the Local Data Company, and this is a source of regret for some shoppers.The street has three times the national average for charity shops and discount stores, according to the Local Data Company, and this is a source of regret for some shoppers.
"There used to be a few butchers and a lovely bread shop," recalls Priscilla Hafey, 64, who has lived in the area all her life."There used to be a few butchers and a lovely bread shop," recalls Priscilla Hafey, 64, who has lived in the area all her life.
The loss of such businesses pre-dates the current recession, to the rise of the supermarket and the popularity of the weekly shop. But other changes in Shirley are more closely linked to the economic troubles. Unemployment has doubled in the area in 15 months, which means spending habits have changed.The loss of such businesses pre-dates the current recession, to the rise of the supermarket and the popularity of the weekly shop. But other changes in Shirley are more closely linked to the economic troubles. Unemployment has doubled in the area in 15 months, which means spending habits have changed.
HOW HIGH STREETS CHANGED Loss of WoolworthsFewer women's and children's clothes shopsIncrease in charities and discountsMore empty premisesSmaller supermarkets moving inHOW HIGH STREETS CHANGED Loss of WoolworthsFewer women's and children's clothes shopsIncrease in charities and discountsMore empty premisesSmaller supermarkets moving in
There are new shops like Cash Generator that offer payments in instalments over weeks and months. The "luxury" businesses like the tanning salon and Chinese restaurant have felt the pinch, while shoe repairs and the shop selling camping equipment - as people shun foreign holidays - have prospered.There are new shops like Cash Generator that offer payments in instalments over weeks and months. The "luxury" businesses like the tanning salon and Chinese restaurant have felt the pinch, while shoe repairs and the shop selling camping equipment - as people shun foreign holidays - have prospered.
Business is also booming at the charity shops. There are almost five in a row on one stretch. One of them, Clic Sargent, says it is 14% up on this time last year.Business is also booming at the charity shops. There are almost five in a row on one stretch. One of them, Clic Sargent, says it is 14% up on this time last year.
So that's the story of one High Street. What's been happening in streets across the UK?So that's the story of one High Street. What's been happening in streets across the UK?
1. FEWER WOMEN'S CLOTHES SHOPS1. FEWER WOMEN'S CLOTHES SHOPS
Nearly one in five women's and children's clothes shops across the UK have closed since 1 January (see graph below). Adams Childrenswear closed 147 branches after being put into administration.Nearly one in five women's and children's clothes shops across the UK have closed since 1 January (see graph below). Adams Childrenswear closed 147 branches after being put into administration.
"It's the one area which is very much a discretionary spend," says Matthew Hopkinson, business development director at Local Data Company."It's the one area which is very much a discretionary spend," says Matthew Hopkinson, business development director at Local Data Company.
"The door has suddenly shut on the consumer credit that was spent on womenswear and childrenswear, so people are instead going to George at Asda or to discount retailers, rather than paying the full Monty.""The door has suddenly shut on the consumer credit that was spent on womenswear and childrenswear, so people are instead going to George at Asda or to discount retailers, rather than paying the full Monty."
2. MORE EMPTY SHOPS2. MORE EMPTY SHOPS
The most visible evidence of the recession is evident with a walk down any High Street. Vacancy rates trebled in the first six months of the year, according to some analysts.The most visible evidence of the recession is evident with a walk down any High Street. Vacancy rates trebled in the first six months of the year, according to some analysts.
Currently the figure is about 13.5% nationally, says Experian, which predicts this will increase to 15% by the end of 2009, before a partial recovery by June 2010 to 14.5%.Currently the figure is about 13.5% nationally, says Experian, which predicts this will increase to 15% by the end of 2009, before a partial recovery by June 2010 to 14.5%.
3. RISE OF THE DISCOUNT STORE3. RISE OF THE DISCOUNT STORE
Last month it was reported that there were 1,423 discount stores in the UK, an increase of 60% since the start of the downturn.Last month it was reported that there were 1,423 discount stores in the UK, an increase of 60% since the start of the downturn.
Shops like Poundland and 99p Stores have exploited the determination of consumers to save money where possible, taking advantage of former Woolworths stores where they can.Shops like Poundland and 99p Stores have exploited the determination of consumers to save money where possible, taking advantage of former Woolworths stores where they can.
They have also benefited from the excess of stock from places like China and the Phillippinnes. When demand first fell at the start of the recession, it took a while for supply to diminish accordingly.They have also benefited from the excess of stock from places like China and the Phillippinnes. When demand first fell at the start of the recession, it took a while for supply to diminish accordingly.
Discount stores have even moved into more affluent areas like Tunbridge Wells and Stratford-upon-Avon.Discount stores have even moved into more affluent areas like Tunbridge Wells and Stratford-upon-Avon.
The 99p Stores celebrated the opening of its 99th shop in August. It has reported a 7% annual hike in like-for-like sales and estimates it will have doubled in size within three years.The 99p Stores celebrated the opening of its 99th shop in August. It has reported a 7% annual hike in like-for-like sales and estimates it will have doubled in size within three years.
4. MORE CHARITY SHOPS4. MORE CHARITY SHOPS
"The number of charity shops is not great for other retailers as it puts others off from moving in with new shops," says Greg Hodge of Planet Retail."The number of charity shops is not great for other retailers as it puts others off from moving in with new shops," says Greg Hodge of Planet Retail.
"It's the people they attract to the High Street, the elderly and people with less money. If the High Street becomes taken over by them, the younger affluent people aren't there.""It's the people they attract to the High Street, the elderly and people with less money. If the High Street becomes taken over by them, the younger affluent people aren't there."
With a domino-like effect, that then puts off developers which have the power to draw in big brand names.With a domino-like effect, that then puts off developers which have the power to draw in big brand names.
They benefit from reduced rates and they have a flexible supply chain - the public, he says. They can act fast because they don't need to set up a fantastic store, implement IT software, tag their products or implement the back office to monitor their stock.They benefit from reduced rates and they have a flexible supply chain - the public, he says. They can act fast because they don't need to set up a fantastic store, implement IT software, tag their products or implement the back office to monitor their stock.
So will they stay? Possibly, says Mr Hodge, if High Streets continue to lose out to online shopping. But if you believe the High Street can survive and that shops will re-open after the recession, then there could be a turnaround in about 18 months time.So will they stay? Possibly, says Mr Hodge, if High Streets continue to lose out to online shopping. But if you believe the High Street can survive and that shops will re-open after the recession, then there could be a turnaround in about 18 months time.
5. SMALLER SUPERMARKETS MOVE IN5. SMALLER SUPERMARKETS MOVE IN
Tesco Express and Sainsbury's Local have taken advantage of the vacant premises to expand on the High Streets, while Waitrose is about to launch 300 smaller convenience stores.Tesco Express and Sainsbury's Local have taken advantage of the vacant premises to expand on the High Streets, while Waitrose is about to launch 300 smaller convenience stores.
Along with efforts to stimulate new housing schemes in High Streets, it could be that the UK is heading back towards invigorating its town centres again, says Mr Hopkinson.Along with efforts to stimulate new housing schemes in High Streets, it could be that the UK is heading back towards invigorating its town centres again, says Mr Hopkinson.
"It's partly a political move by the supermarkets, in response to the charge that they are killing the High Streets, but I think it's a good thing. We are seeing attempts to get people back to the centres.""It's partly a political move by the supermarkets, in response to the charge that they are killing the High Streets, but I think it's a good thing. We are seeing attempts to get people back to the centres."
Councils have to sit down with chain stores and independent retailers to work out how best to attract consumers back, to the detriment of neither, he says.Councils have to sit down with chain stores and independent retailers to work out how best to attract consumers back, to the detriment of neither, he says.
This kind of concerted action, along with more consumer-led campaigns to support local town centres, could mean the comeback of the High Street is just around the corner.This kind of concerted action, along with more consumer-led campaigns to support local town centres, could mean the comeback of the High Street is just around the corner.


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