List of most endangered high street shops reveals need to protect independents ‘more important than ever’

Over 130,000 independent high street businesses could be in danger of disappearing from UK high streets within the next 15 years if not properly supported, claims new analysis.

Electrical retailers are at higher risk of closure, with shoe shops, furniture and homeware outlets, and fashion retailers also found to be among the most under threat, according to research from insurer Simply Business.

The provider, which launched its Bleak Friday campaign to raise awareness of the need for support of independent retailers, found that 11 types of independent businesses are facing severe pressures to continue operating by the year 2039, with a further 14 at risk of losing their presence on the high street by 2068.

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: “Independent retailers up and down the UK are under immense pressure to stay open and continue making high streets the vibrant and hugely important community spaces that they are.

“With many independents feeling that help is not readily forthcoming, it is more important than ever that these businesses are supported so as to stop our high streets from becoming unrecognisable.”

Endangered shops and potential disappearance dates

The full list of the 25 businesses most at risk of disappearing from high streets:

• 2029: Electrical appliance stores
• 2034: Shoe shops and leather goods, Furniture and homeware shops
• 2035: Pubs and bars, Newsagents and stationers, Fishmongers
• 2039: Chemists, Tech and PC shops, Watch shops and jewellers, Clothing stores, Hardware stores
• 2042: Cosmetics shops
• 2044: Off-licenses, Specialty goods stores
• 2045: Sports shops
• 2050: Delicatessens, Carpet shops
• 2051: Greengrocers
• 2053: Butchers
• 2057: Haberdasheries, Restaurants and street food vendors
• 2059: Bookshops
• 2060: Garden centres
• 2062: Tobacconists
• 2068: Charity shops

Bea Montoya, UK Chief Operating Officer at Simply Business, said: “Britain’s independent high street is at breaking point. Our research paints a bleak picture – if we don’t act urgently, our high streets will soon look vastly different. The impact this will have on communities will be devastating.”

The analysis comes after October’s budget announcement delivered a ‘triple blow’ to independent retailers, with Bira members labelling it “devastating and out of touch.”

Responding on the day of the budget (28 October 2024), Mr Goodacre said: "This is without doubt the worst Budget for independent retailers I have seen in my time representing the sector. The government's actions today show complete disregard for the thousands of hard-working shop owners who form the backbone of our high streets.”