A by-election in the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry constituency highlights contrasting high street fortunes. Arbroath faces empty retail units and a decline, while Broughty Ferry thrives with independent and chain businesses. Youth crime is a concern in Broughty Ferry.
An investigation across Britain exposes widespread organised crime on High Streets, including money laundering through 'dodgy shops', illegal tobacco sales, and drug trafficking, reflecting broader societal and economic troubles.
Research in Makerfield reveals voters prioritize cost of living, declining high streets, and public services. Many also express disillusionment with the political system and distrust of politicians, according to a focus group commissioned by 38 Degrees.
New research in Makerfield reveals voters prioritize cost of living, declining high streets, and public services. Many also express disillusionment with the political system and distrust of politicians, according to a focus group commissioned by 38 Degrees and JL Partners.
A new £20m National Crime Agency unit will target UK retail businesses like vape stores and mini-marts suspected of laundering £1bn of criminal money annually. The initiative aims to combat tax evasion, counterfeit goods, and organised crime on high streets.
Lloyds Banking Group is reportedly considering phasing out the Halifax brand as early as July 1st, as part of a review of its branding strategy. The move could see Halifax accounts and services integrated into the Lloyds brand, though Bank of Scotland is expected to remain. A decision has not yet been made.
Walsall's declining High Street exemplifies challenges facing town centres across England, with shuttered shops, rising vape stores and bookmakers replacing former department stores. Residents express pride in their town but frustration at deprivation and lack of jobs. Research shows High Street condition strongly correlates with local economic performance, with deprived areas like Bradford seeing one in five units empty versus one in 12 in London. Political parties offer competing solutions ahead of May local elections, but experts warn voters judge politics by their local area's state.
Exclusive: Accessories chain will be reopened in the UK by its operator in France, Austria, Portugal and SpainThe jewellery and accessories chain Claire’s is expected to return to UK high streets with about 50 stores to be reopened from June onwards by the operator of its shops in France, Austria, Portugal and Spain.Julien Jarjoura, the French entrepreneur behind jewellery company Une Ligne, which sells online and via museum stores including the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles, said he had the blessing of the US owner of the Claire’s brand, Ames Watson, to open stores in the UK and was signing new leases with UK landlords. Continue reading...
Claire's is closing its final UK stores on Tuesday, cutting approximately 1,000 jobs and ending three decades on British high streets. The jewellery and ear-piercing retailer, which collapsed into administration in January, has seen more than 100 shops cease trading. The move does not affect 356 concessions in Asda stores or the head office. The UK arm struggled against online competition from Amazon and social media sales via TikTok.
Public toilets in England have fallen by 14% over the past decade, with 15,481 people sharing each public toilet compared to 8,500 in Scotland and 6,748 in Wales, according to Royal Society for Public Health analysis. The RSPH warns this creates lavatory 'deserts' that harm public health, force people to restrict fluid intake, and lead to public urination. The organization is calling for new legal duties on strategic authorities and developer requirements to include public toilets in developments.
Buying habits | Trump’s messiah complex | Team Pope Leo XIV | Leaning towers | Mandelson vettingI sympathise with people mourning the demise of once‑loved stores and the pitiful state of their high streets (Wildings in Newport, Wales: the grand department store that became an illicit cannabis farm, 16 April). This is not the fault of the government, but rather a result of changing consumer habits. Perhaps we are all guilty. These shops are not charities, there to adorn the public realm. They are businesses and if people don’t shop there they will close. All that any government – national or local – can do is to help a well-designed shrinking of the retail estate by encouraging changes of use.Gillian WilliamsonLondon• The weirdest aspect of Donald Trump’s messiah complex cartoon (Trump deletes post with AI image of himself as Jesus-like figure after outcry, 13 April) is that the increasingly deranged, thin-skinned president appears to be trying to cure his long-time, eminently sane and extremely funny critic Jon Stewart.Jonathan WheelerBirstall, Leicester Continue reading...
