Two-thirds of Britons say their local high street is struggling – and even loyal shoppers admit they can’t compete on price or selection
A new YouGov survey reveals deep pessimism about the future of Britain’s high streets, with just one in three people describing their local one as being in a good state.
The poll, published on Wednesday (11 February), shows that only 35% of Britons with a high street in their area believe it is thriving or holding up well. By comparison, 43% say it is in a bad way, while 21% take a neutral view.
Even among those who shop there regularly, the picture is far from rosy. Nearly half (49%) of respondents think high street shops offer a worse range of products than other retailers, and 41% say they provide worse prices, a view shared by 40% of frequent visitors compared to just 13% who see them as better value.
A human touch
Notably, the data shows a clear tension between affection and practicality.
Overall, 78% of Britons say having a high street in their area is at least fairly important to them, including 33% who call it very important. Loyalty rises sharply among regular users: 54% of those who visit at least weekly describe it as very important.
Yet shopping habits tell a different story. Only 28% of Britons use their local high street at least once a week, though 53% do so at least monthly. London stands out as more engaged, with 45% visiting weekly compared to 26-28% in other English regions.
Where high streets still win is on the human touch. Respondents rate them better than other shops for customer service (46% better vs 7% worse) and convenience (44% more convenient vs 21% less).
Many also find the experience more enjoyable (38% more vs 11% less), with regular users especially positive (52% more enjoyable).
Price wars
But on the fundamentals that drive modern shopping, price and selection, high streets are seen as uncompetitive. The rise of online retail and out-of-town centres continues to draw footfall away, leaving many traditional shopping areas battling empty units and reduced variety.
Reform UK voters are the most negative, with 56% describing their local high street as in a bad state, the highest among political groups. Londoners remain the most optimistic, with 42% viewing theirs positively.
While Britons clearly value the social and service-oriented role of their high streets, the survey suggests that without addressing the price and selection gap, many will continue to vote with their feet, and their wallets, elsewhere.
