We have now been approved to host our petition on the Government website, please sign at the following link, thank you.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/608463
- 1 in 7 retail shops lie empty after 5 years of increasing High Street vacancy
- On average 48 shops a day closed in 2021
- Almost 190,000 retail jobs have been lost since the first lockdown
But behind all these numbers are real people. Entrepreneurs taking risks in creating businesses from nothing, who provide livelihoods to their employees, who then serve the local residents and the community at large.
What’s causing increased High Street vacancy? Covid triggering lockdowns, increasing remote working while decreasing tourism, as well as Brexit disruptions, and growing competition from online retail.
But why should I be concerned?For smaller towns and cities, the High Street acts as the main hub for community, supporting not just employment and commerce, but social connectedness and wellbeing. Empty stores are unsightly, a burden on landlords, hurt surrounding businesses, and when increasing High Street vacancy becomes everyone’s local problem, it needs a national solution.
So what can we do?Local businesses need governmental support if communities are to be prosperous, environmentally sustainable, and provide quality jobs and lives.
We please ask you to sign our petition which is our first step in forcing Government to confront the reality of our struggling communities.
Our Voices SHOUT LOUDER Together. Please Sign Our Petition! Thank you for your support.
Updates
January 25, 2022
I have been reading the stories you are sharing about the shops that define your own neighborhoods. It is becoming clear that this is about more than just numbers on a page because these businesses are the heartbeat of where we live.
January 25, 2022
I really never expected to see this kind of response when I first put these thoughts down. This momentum is entirely because of your belief in our local stores and the people behind them. I am just humbled to be a small part of what you are all building together.
22 Comments
Since covid started my local high street has been becoming more of a blackhole. With all the vacant shops no new business wants to set up in the area
Given the increased attention on a greener sustainable future, it's disappointing to see local shops closing down in favor of greenwashing multinational companies
Stop extaurtionate car park charges ,stop business rates we cannot afford them ,
If you want to save the high street, stop supporting Amazon first.
It would be great to see some joint up thinking between everyone interested in their high street and town centres.
118 Birmingham Road Walsall
15 Fords Close Bledlow Ridge
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We have now been approved to host our petition on the Government website, please sign at the following link, thank you.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/608463
- 1 in 7 retail shops lie empty after 5 years of increasing High Street vacancy
- On average 48 shops a day closed in 2021
- Almost 190,000 retail jobs have been lost since the first lockdown
But behind all these numbers are real people. Entrepreneurs taking risks in creating businesses from nothing, who provide livelihoods to their employees, who then serve the local residents and the community at large.
What’s causing increased High Street vacancy? Covid triggering lockdowns, increasing remote working while decreasing tourism, as well as Brexit disruptions, and growing competition from online retail.
But why should I be concerned?For smaller towns and cities, the High Street acts as the main hub for community, supporting not just employment and commerce, but social connectedness and wellbeing. Empty stores are unsightly, a burden on landlords, hurt surrounding businesses, and when increasing High Street vacancy becomes everyone’s local problem, it needs a national solution.
So what can we do?Local businesses need governmental support if communities are to be prosperous, environmentally sustainable, and provide quality jobs and lives.
We please ask you to sign our petition which is our first step in forcing Government to confront the reality of our struggling communities.
Our Voices SHOUT LOUDER Together. Please Sign Our Petition! Thank you for your support.
Updates
January 25, 2022
I have been reading the stories you are sharing about the shops that define your own neighborhoods. It is becoming clear that this is about more than just numbers on a page because these businesses are the heartbeat of where we live.
January 25, 2022
I really never expected to see this kind of response when I first put these thoughts down. This momentum is entirely because of your belief in our local stores and the people behind them. I am just humbled to be a small part of what you are all building together.
22 Comments
Reform/replace Business Rates urgently. This tax is archaic and unworkable in todays business world. This tax does not represent your business scale and profitability, but the property you occupy and where it is.
Since covid started my local high street has been becoming more of a blackhole. With all the vacant shops no new business wants to set up in the area
Given the increased attention on a greener sustainable future, it's disappointing to see local shops closing down in favor of greenwashing multinational companies
Stop extaurtionate car park charges ,stop business rates we cannot afford them ,
If you want to save the high street, stop supporting Amazon first.
It would be great to see some joint up thinking between everyone interested in their high street and town centres.
118 Birmingham Road Walsall
15 Fords Close Bledlow Ridge
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Reform/replace Business Rates urgently. This tax is archaic and unworkable in todays business world. This tax does not represent your business scale and profitability, but the property you occupy and where it is.