Similar perceptions of decline are now the norm across the nation. In postwar Britain, high streets became the thriving hubs of a more affluent society and a source of local identity and pride. But almost 13,000 shops closed in 2024 an attrition rate of around 37 a day, which particularly affected the north of England, the Midlands and deprived coastal areas.
Our high streets are the beating heart of Britain, where communities come together and local businesses can grow. Town centres have suffered from high streets falling into decline, and that is why we're taking action to turn the tide with this crucial investment and more to come. We have listened to what people are telling us and that's why we're giving them the power and control to breathe new life back into our high streets and restore the sense of pride communities feel.
The brand's ShopperTrak Analytics data, which captures 40 billion store visits globally each year, showed that total UK footfall over the weekend was up compared to 2024 (+0.7%) - traffic on Sunday (30 Nov 2025) jumped +5% year-on-year and +13.2% week-on-week. Saturday (29 Nov 2025) saw lower levels of store visits compared to 2024 (-1.9%) but rose +19.4% against the week prior. High Streets were the best performing retail destination across the weekend, with footfall rising +1.5% year-on-year across the two-days.
Britain's high streets face a critical moment, the Co-op has warned, as new research reveals 60,000 small shops and 150,000 jobs could disappear without urgent business rates reform. The findings, released ahead of the Autumn Budget, show around 7 in 10 UK adults (69%) lack confidence that the Government will deliver on its promise of relief for small businesses - despite repeated pledges in previous budgets.
