The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) has commented on the recently published High Street Report, which showcases how the High Street has changed since 2020.

The Association, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, has reviewed the BBC analysis of data retrieved from the Ordnance Survey and confirms the changes.

The report, which can be reviewed here, was compiled from 1.5 million records of mapping data. It shows a comprehensive quarterly survey of businesses, facilities and services operating in England, Scotland and Wales.

It also shows the number of clothes shops dropped to 4,300, which was a fall of 8.5%. Over 800 high street banks and building societies closed their doors during the pandemic, too.

Commenting is Andrew Goodacre, CEO of BIRA

“This report is interesting and conforms to trends we have noticed over the past few years. There has been a growth in ‘service retailing’ and a decline in the traditional ‘comparison goods retailer’ – and the pandemic seems to have emphasised this change.

“The closure of large chains, and now banks, is well documented. We have seen many traditional indie retailers change their offer by including services – repairs, product hire and inclusion of cafes in the shop. We expect these changes to continue, but we must remember that every vibrant high street needs diversity and should not be dominated by any particular sector.

“A good high street is a series of inter-dependent businesses working together to create a great place to visit, and independent retail is absolutely integral to that future vision.”

For further information on BIRA, please click here.