‘The UK’s excessive avenue is dying due to one factor – we should always all settle for it’

The UK’s high street is dying – and an expert has told us all to just accept it and let it happen.

With icons such as Boots, Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Starbucks, Clarks, WHSmith and more all announcing store closures lately, it appears as if the final nail in the coffin could be on its way.

The current rate of closures in the UK could outpace the 2023 total, which saw a whopping 14,081 shops welcome customers for the last time – a shocking 39 closures per day.

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And author and Daily Mail’s money expert Lee Boyce has said that there probably isn’t much we can do about it and to just accept it – but he blames one major reason for it. He said: “I believe it is the out-of-town retail parks that really are the final nail in the coffin for the high street as we know it.

“They offer free parking, most of the shops you know, and bigger and large retailers seem to be focusing on them in a big way – especially Next and M&S, both of which are going through a purple patch so the strategy is working, along with popular fast-food spots, such as McDonalds and Greggs.

“There are plenty of these sites dotted around the country, also poorly designed when it comes to access for motorists, but nonetheless immensely popular. Most of these shoppers would have been on a high street 15 years ago. Now they’re being funnelled into these soulless identikit sites.

“I can see why retailers love them. Bigger units, free parking for customers and easier access for goods in. As a shopper, I abhor them. I’d much rather be in the local high street with more variety and personality.”

According to data from Retail Research, 759 stores have closed in the UK in 2024 up until the end of August. That has seen more than 15,000 employees lose their jobs.

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