UK Towns Face Crisis as Shop Closures Leave High Streets Empty

Shops are closing in South West towns. Banks and post offices disappeared, too, and MPs are worried about these losses. Villages are losing their hearts, they said, and people feel cut off and vulnerable now. Older people can’t get services they need, and small businesses are struggling with costs. They want the government to help soon.

An MP called a shop closure “heartbreaking.” She said tax changes made it worse and the new rules hurt small businesses a lot. She wants business tax rates to change because she thinks it will help rural towns.

Another shop is closing with its post office, meaning people will lack vital rural services. This MP wants investment in small shops because she says they are vital to towns.

Volunteer shops offer more than retail, in that they provide outreach post offices. People can pick up prescriptions there, and these services are truly vital for villages. Government needs to protect them better.

An MP warned it affects older residents. High streets help reduce loneliness, since many older people rarely talk to anyone. Losing high street services makes it worse.

His area has weak internet access, too, so online shopping is hard for older folks. Older residents also get scammed online, and it is a serious problem in these areas.

Bank closures were a big worry, and a bank closed one branch already. Now it is shutting another one down, and a hub was denied to the closing towns. The rules for hubs need looking at, and rural areas need different criteria applied.

He thinks the business tax system is broken. He suggested taxing land value instead, which avoids penalizing the businesses then.

Many pharmacies are also closing down. He wants assurance for rural ones now and protection from tax increases.

Some MPs saw positive things, though. Town councils help high streets a lot, and they also support businesses after COVID.

One town has many tourist visits each year, and few shops are vacant in this town. But, vacant shops still exceed the earlier level and it’s still a serious problem that they face.

Cultural events attract businesses there, but even thriving towns face rising costs. Local makers need targeted help and support.

A government member knows the worries now. He said they are helping high streets and he has a five-point plan to revive them. It includes tackling crime in the regions, and they will reform taxes and roll out hubs. They want to stop late payments to firms, and they will help communities take over closed shops.

The government expands the hubs programme now and over two hundred sites are for hubs. He stressed the value of post offices, too.

Some MPs weren’t convinced by this yet, stating that the government’s plans are not enough. Rural high streets are hard to replace, so it is not too late, but act quickly.