Changes to the High Street
Even before the pandemic an increasing number of people were shopping online.
A survey at the time revealed that there were five main reasons why online shopping was on the increase; shopping areas were too crowded, more choice online, the need to travel to town and city centres, difficulty finding things in cluttered shops and the fact that shops would be closing at the time that people were finishing work.
Respondents to that survey wanted more staff in shops, longer opening hours, more self checkouts to avoid the need to queue, better public transport links and prices comparable to prices online.
Now, as a result of the pandemic, almost two thirds of customers say that they are more likely to use shops where contactless payment is possible.
The pandemic accelerated the move towards online shopping, but the need for shopping areas will remain.
The use of click and collect services has grown faster than home delivery online shopping, showing that there is still a need for physical shops as part of an integrated service to customers.
Customers will continue to want to try on clothes before buying, and may value being able to return clothes in person rather than by post.
A recent survey in Canada found that, while grocery shopping was moving online, shoppers still preferred to pick up perishable items and goods that they wanted to inspect themselves from stores. Most commonly, tomatoes and chicken breasts were being bought from stores, while the most common delivered items were toothpaste, crisps and breakfast cereals.
And, of course, some businesses cannot be transferred to online only, from hairdressers and key cutters to dry cleaners. So there will .always be a need for the High Street and shopping centres, although probably on a smaller scale
Changes to planning regulations
From August planning regulations will change to make it easier for shops to be converted to residential use. Some local authorities might try to resist changes to protect jobs and because business rates are a better revenue source for them than Council Tax. Also, many Councillors believe that a full return to the shopping areas of the past is still possible.
Certainly,more people living in or close to shopping areas will help to make surviving shops viable. It could also create demand for services that are rare in city centres, for example nurseries, schools and community facilities.
Some of the larger stores might not be ideal for a change of use to residential, especially former Department stores with high ceilings and large rooms.
In April we mentioned that the Gloucester Debenhams was being taken over by a University and that their Exeter store might become a cinema. In both cases, former Department store buildings are ideal. To see that click here.
.
