Almost half of British people believe their local high street is worse than it was a year ago, according to a new survey by UKHospitality.
The findings, published during the Labour Party Conference, suggest that the sense of high street decline is felt most significantly in suburban and rural areas.
The survey of 5,000 consumers, produced by CGA by NIQ in partnership with hospitality technology provider Zonal, showed that those in suburban areas (55%) believe their high street is worse than it was a year ago, with a similar response from consumers in rural areas (48%). In contrast, only 19% of consumers in city centres hold this view.
UKHospitality said that these results make clear that many communities living outside of big cities feel that they are being left behind, with their high streets declining.
The trade body said the survey reinforces the urgent need for the Chancellor to introduce measures at the Budget on November 26 that can revive and regenerate high streets. It is also calling on the Welsh Government to reconsider its proposed changes to business rates.
The survey suggests that the public overwhelmingly believe (74%) that hospitality needs and deserves more support from government.
David Chapman, Executive Director of UKHospitality Cymru, said:
“These are stark statistics that reflect the challenging times on our high streets, and the immediate future remains bleak because, unlike England, hospitality businesses in Wales will receive no support for business rates from April.
“Failure to back our businesses will see pubs pay nearly £7,000 a year more and hotels £50,000 a year more in rates than competitors in England.
“If the Welsh Government is serious about investing and improving the high street, it should make wholesale changes to its rates proposals to include backing our hospitality businesses and delivering lower rates bills for our community pubs, restaurants, hotels and cafes.
“Solving this issue must start with reducing the imbalanced costs facing high street businesses and giving them the financial headroom they need to grow, create jobs and invest. We can be the catalyst of real community change, if we’re given a fair business rates system and not continually punished for our loyalty to the iconic generational buildings of the high street.”
