Blog: Pound stores the only high street hit

Joe Ayling | 22 October 2009

The typical UK high street has been transformed by the current recession, leaving it unrecognisable from its former self.

Clothing and footwear shops, general merchandise stores and gift boutiques have paved the way for stores selling goods for just a pound and charity shops.

According to an ongoing BBC investigation into the typical UK high street of Shirley, near Southampton, the collapse of Woolworths last year signalled the transition.

Furthermore, many of the shuttered store fronts are yet to be replaced, with vacancy rates soaring and residents forced to travel to larger shopping centres for specialist items.

The BBC finds that there are now 1,423 discount stores in the UK - up 60% since the recession took hold.

Specialist fashion outlets in the UK will hope that the green shoots of recovery will blossom into their recovery next year, because 99p clothes are not an option.

By Joe Ayling.