“The high street’s days are numbered”: Are locals worried about Bristol’s high street?

National World - LocalTV

The cost of living crisis is a very real worry for the Bristol high street, with many local shops and businesses closing due to rising costs. But are locals concerned for the high streets future?

Transcript

00:00 The last few years have been no easy street for high streets across the nation.

00:07 No high street has remained untouched by the impact of the cost of living crisis and the

00:12 Covid-19 pandemic.

00:15 But what would locals like to see bought to the Bristol high street?

00:20 I think there's enough that I need, but just lots more shops need to be refilled, they're

00:25 too empty.

00:26 I don't know what people will need, but also it depends on parking whether people will

00:32 come.

00:33 So that's really all I've got to say.

00:35 A fresh butcher's, I think it'd be nice to have around here.

00:43 Maybe a proper greengrocer's instead of the pre-packs.

00:47 I think I would like that very much.

00:50 Instead of all these takeaways.

00:53 Well, kind of like around here it's not too bad because you've got the supermarkets and

01:00 all of that.

01:02 Like a deli or a local bakery or something would be good.

01:06 I think that would be the best.

01:08 Definitely banks, I'm lucky.

01:09 They've still got Lloyds Bank here, but most of the branches in the area are shut down,

01:14 so yeah, definitely that would be more helpful.

01:17 Yes, definitely chemists.

01:20 I mean since this day Lewis have closed, that one seems really ridiculous because everybody

01:32 is going to this one.

01:33 Obviously there's queues waiting for their prescriptions and they've got to wait five

01:41 to seven days.

01:42 I've just been in there now and I've put my prescription in nearly two weeks ago and it's

01:47 still not ready.

01:50 You've got to reorder it.

01:52 According to businessmoney.com, over one in three Brits actively support their local high

01:58 street, despite the cost of living crisis.

02:02 In the city of Bristol, Business Money found cafes were the most popular place to visit

02:07 on the high street, closely followed by charity shops.

02:11 But are locals concerned about the future of the high street?

02:14 It's quite sad when I saw Morrison's took over what was, when I first came here, an

02:20 independent thing.

02:22 And the other shops around here that are not doing so well, it's a shame.

02:28 But then we don't have much choice.

02:31 The high street stays are numbered really.

02:33 I think it's inevitable with everything moving more and more online.

02:37 I think it's a real pity because there's a social aspect to the high street and I think

02:41 we'll lose that.

02:42 Yeah, loads of things definitely moving online.

02:47 It's nice to go in and see what you're buying.

02:50 But yeah, no, definitely.

02:52 Quite happy when I hear that there are some places where the small businesses are still

02:57 thriving and that's good.

03:00 Only time will tell what the future holds for the Bristol high street.

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