Independent C-stores on rise as High Streets evolve over pandemic

The number of independent convenience stores increased by almost three per cent in March 2022 as compared to March 2020, stated a recent study, highlighting the full extent of changes in Britain’s High Streets after two years of Covid lockdowns and trading restrictions.

Independent convenience stores in the country has increased by 1,600. The big supermarket chains operated 194 more stores by the end of the Covid restrictions, up 2.5 per cent. There was a similar rise in the number of organic and other speciality food shops.

The findings have been revealed in a BBC analysis of data from Ordnance Survey. Overall, there were 9,300 fewer retail outlets in March 2022 than the same month in 2020.

Beauty salons and tattoo parlours have prospered on High Streets while the number of banks and department stores has fallen.

High Streets and shopping centres have become a magnet for hair and beauty services in the past few years as an additional 5,100 premises now operate compared with pre-pandemic – an increase of 5.9 per cent.

On the other hand, more than 800 High Street banks and building societies closed their doors during the pandemic (-8.1 per cent) along with the loss of more than 6,000 cash machines (-13.2 per cent).

Debenhams and Beales were among the landmark High Street retailers to close their doors during the pandemic, contributing to a 13.4 per cent drop in department stores across Great Britain.

The number of clothes shops operating in Britain is down 4,300, a fall of 8.5 per cent.

The Ordnance Survey data found 700 more pubs and bars were operating after the pandemic. There were also 2,000 more cafes or tea rooms and 4,600 more fast-food outlets. Scotland saw the largest growth in eating and drinking outlets, with a rise of 6 per cent. In north-west and north-east England, the increase was around 5 per cent. The south-west of England and Wales saw the lowest increases in eating and drinking businesses.