Chris

High streets are suffering because businesses there pay businesses rates, in return for which they get bugger all, except for badly designed pedestrianisation schemes, dirty streets with cracked pavements, overflowing bins and outrageously expensive council run car parks, and because the shops themselves charge more for a narrower range of goods. Out of town centres far better because they’re under cover, and usually clean, and the parking is free. Internet shopping does best of all because it’s always open, doesn’t pay business rates and offers a broader range of products.

It’s worth mentioning by the way that there are no restrictions on Sunday trading hours in Scotland but there’s no evidence high streets are doing any better here than elsewhere. It’s a combination of factors, not just one thing.