Shoppers in Arnold have called empty units on the high street “worrying” - and predicted further store closures in the area. Residents are concerned more businesses will no longer be able to cope as the cost of living crisis drags on.
In recent months, Arnold has seen the HSBC bank on Front Street announce its closure. We reported this week that the Children’s Society charity shop, also on Front Street, has revealed it will shut its doors for good.
With empty units from previous shop closures, people have said that the high street - and not just in Arnold - is “dying”. Tina Graham, 57, a sales assistant from Arnold, said: “It’s not a good time, not just for independent businesses but businesses in general.
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“I was gutted when I heard about the Blue Circle fish and chip shop that has been there for years, and for older people, the banks closing aren't ideal.” The Blue Circle fish and chip on Front Street could be demolished with flats replacing the popular business. It was reported that neighbouring firms are also unsure of their futures.
Tina has lived in Arnold for 14 years. She added: “Arnold isn’t a ghost town at all - people come here and people shop. But walking along the high street and seeing empty units and shutters down does make you wonder how long it will be until more start to appear. It is worrying.”
Lillian Anderson, 71, is from Arnold. Now retired, she said: “High streets everywhere are dying. It doesn’t matter what area it is, people aren’t coping with the cost of living and rents which is understandable.
“Business owners having to make the difficult decision of closing up is becoming a reality more and more often. I don’t know what the answer is because the Government can only do so much but there'll be more pressure on them when people start claiming [benefits] more.”
Retired Brian King, 68, from Arnold, added: “A lot of things are online now. What you can’t find in stores you can get on Amazon and sometimes it arrives on the same day.
“Between online shopping, the state of the economy and people spending less it’s no wonder there’s so many empty units.”
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