It’s nice to have a change of scenery once in a while, especially when writing. Looking at the same surroundings day after day can become somewhat dull after a while. To shake things up I like to hop on a bus and travel to a high street in any nearby town, find a coffee shop or bar, find a seat by a window, unpack my mobile office from my go bag, and start writing.
Over the past few years I’ve noticed a real change in the high streets I visit: less big chains, more empty shops, and more of a diverse specific set of shops.
It may be different where you live but I’m seeing more vape shops, nail and hair salons, foreign supermarkets, tattoo parlors, phone and gadget accessory shops, betting shops, and cheap shops (known as pound shops in the UK).
Supply and demand would indicate that there is a need for these stores if they are thriving. I believe that these are not new shops, just new to the high street. Maybe they were once down a side street or high street adjacent.
With the big chains going into administration or reducing the number of stores they operate, we are seeing more space opening up on the high street, and nature abhors a vacuum, or at least commercial landlords do. Rents are negotiated downwards, government initiatives are introduced around business rates to encourage entrepreneurs to take up the opportunity, and voila! We have shops that usually occupy an off high street location being relocated on it side-by-side with the few remaining big chains.
Don’t get me wrong, I think change is good. I’m all for a diverse high street meeting the needs of the people. I’m just curious to see how it evolves further.
What are your thoughts? Do you still visit your local high street? Do you think the high street has a future in our evolving culture?