High Streets ‘Left Behind’ As Survey Highlights Stark Rural Divide

Almost half of British consumers believe their local high street is in a worse state than it was a year ago, according to a major new survey by UKHospitality.

The findings, released during the Labour Party Conference, reveal that perceptions of decline are strongest in suburban and rural communities. The survey of 5,000 consumers, conducted by CGA by NIQ in partnership with hospitality technology provider Zonal, found that 55% of people living in suburban areas feel their high street has deteriorated, with 48% in rural areas sharing the same view. By contrast, only 19% of those in city centres believe their high streets are worse than a year ago.

UKHospitality warned the results highlight how communities outside major cities feel increasingly “left behind” as their high streets continue to struggle. The trade body is urging the Chancellor to introduce measures in the 26 November Budget to revive and regenerate high streets and is also pressing the Welsh Government to rethink its proposed changes to business rates.

The survey also revealed strong public backing for the sector, with 74% of respondents agreeing that hospitality businesses need and deserve more government support.

David Chapman, Executive Director of UKHospitality Cymru, said the data should serve as a wake-up call.

“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.”