I visited Cheshire town with one of UK's worst hit high streets

Recent data placed town fifth for number of retail closures compared to population size

It's no secret that many UK high streets are in steep decline. In some towns it doesn't take more than a stroll to the shops to witness the stark reality of retail closures.

But the state of high street shopping across the UK is far from uniform. In some towns shuttered shops reflect the struggling retail sector, while in others others independent shops are thriving.

And for some, traditional retail is being replaced by new kinds of business as people adapt to online competition. Warrington, a historic market town, today has one of the worst hit high streets in the UK with recent data placing it fifth for numbers of retail closures compared to its population size.

Other hard hit locations including London, Ellesmere Port and Devon, reports the Liverpool Echo. Stepping off the train at Warrington Central, a large Primark looms ahead - the first sight Golden Square Shopping Centre, described by Warrington Council as the town's "retail anchor".

But despite this symbol of big brand success, the story further into town is quite different. The streets spider webbing from Market Gate, where sits the Fountain of Warrington, paint a picture of the shift in the town's business landscape with most shops being aestheticians, tattoo parlours, and banks. The square itself sees HSBC, William Hill, Mackbear Coffee and a mobile phone shop take prominent spots.

Cafes, vape shops and barbers also dominate the low numbers of traditional retailers with a suitcase shop, jewellers and Groom clothing being among the few around that aren't contained within the Golden Square Shopping Centre. This isn't particularly surprising and according to research, experiential services, (i.e. those not selling physical goods) are on the rise alongside drinking and dining spots.

Further down a glimmer of hope lies in Warrington's new permanent market space, which opened in 2020 as part of the larger Time Square redevelopment that included new council offices and a 13 screen cinema. Built following the demolition of the old market in 2017, with traders placed in a temporary hall across the square in the interim, the new market consists of around 60 business units and 14 outlet food courts.

The £14m purpose built market includes an array of international food stalls plus two bars serving alcohol and was even named a 'Hero Market' by the National Association of British Market Authorities in 2021. However the market is a red herring as I search for the retail scene and while talk of Time Square revamp is met with compliments from locals, goods traders are struggling.

Baljeet Gill, 40, owns Frenzy Shoes, one of a handful of retail shops on the lower floor, closest to the entrance. Despite a consistent trickle of shoppers through the sliding glass doors, few stop to browse. Baljeet said: "They go straight to the food court. In the near future I think there will only be the food court".

Baljeet says sales can be as low as £50 a day - not enough to meet a reported £1,000 rent. "If I'm selling shoes for £10, Temu or Shein is selling them for £2." Few retailers also mean little incentive for customers to bring in shopping trade to the market, with Baljeet saying places like the Trafford Centre in Manchester have a greater draw for Warrington shoppers.

Pointing to the importance of shopping in person Baljeet says: "You miss the physical and mental benefits and the socialising". Erkan Colak, 52, owns Avocado, a shop in the market selling organic shampoo, soap, crystals and herbal teas among other goods. Despite opening around seven months ago, high rent and overheads has put closure on the horizon.

"People are buying more online. There are guarantees online now and returns free of charge." Erkan will open a new café/farm shop across the road where despite a much larger space, his rent will be cheaper than at the council-owned market unit. He also owns a salad bar in the market which will stay open.

A few shops report they are thriving however, among them the market's PJ Jewellers as well as the 110 year old women's fashion store, Hancock and Wood, on Bridge Street where shoppers travel in from Eccles, Frodsham and Chester to shop for clothing, gifts and accessories.

Hancock and Wood sales assistant, Anita Noon said: "One lady comes in from her assisted living in a taxi. She gets everything she needs and then goes home in a taxi". For the family run business, catering to an older demographic might be key to avoiding the online shopping drain.

The chain-dominated Golden Square Shopping Centre is busy too, housing a Lush, HandM, New look, One Beyond, TK Maxx, Millie's cookies, Clarks, Boots, JD, Footlocker, Accessorise, Waterstones, Next, and a River Island though lacking other big names like Zara. Meanwhile closing down sales at the centre's Shoezone and Bodycare, serve as a reminder that the hit to retail is a nationwide reality with both seeing closures across the country.

Another thriving shopping area is the Gemini Retail Park, where an IKEA and large Marks and Spencer attract shoppers from Warrington as well as Liverpool and Manchester. But this doesn't seem to mean trade trickling into the town centre.

Michelle Rutter, 44, from Warrington, owns Frock Off in The Hive - the town's newest shopping area - a small, dark painted, boutique style row of shops and bars. Despite the touch of glamour, shoppers are far from flocking. Michelle said: "No one wants to come into town. Most people live outside the town centre and traffic is horrendous. The Trafford Centre has free parking. It's 20 minutes so why wouldn't people just go there?

"It's very difficult with overheads and low footfall. I don't think I'll be here much longer. I'll keep going online. I sell about ten per cent online and the rest in store. Shein has taken over boutiques and there's no way to compete." A new multi-storey car park at the nearby Time Square has 1,200 spaces and is paid for by the hour from £1.40 for 1 hour or £7 for 4 hours plus - a charge the council say is "not excessive compared to other areas in the region".

Despite bleak reports from retailers, for the council, a move away from the traditional high street is something of a tactical move. Attributing changes in shopping habits to "internet retailing" the council says the impact on the town is "no different" to that seen across the UK with emphasis put instead on a creating a new kind of town centre.

The 2020 Warrington Town Centre Masterplan said: "To reinvigorate these areas will require creativity and the need to explore the introduction of other uses to replace retailing." Plans in the document include encouraging "alternative uses" for the high street such as "cafés and restaurants with active frontages and outdoor eating and drinking areas". Plans also included further market growth with markets cited as an opportunity for "low cost, low start-up investment opportunities" though progress isn't entirely clear.

A Warrington Borough Council spokesperson told The ECHO: ""We're incredibly proud of our town centre, which continues to be a vibrant, first-class destination for residents and visitors from Warrington and beyond. We work closely with our retail businesses through the Warrington Business Improvement District (BID) to ensure we offer excellent value and support.

"The heart of our town has seen significant, transformative investment in recent years, with our flagship development, Time Square, providing a complete leisure and commercial hub featuring a state-of-the-art cinema, fantastic restaurants and bars. The town's retail offer is supported and amplified by an excellent, bustling events programme, attracting thousands of people.

"Over the summer, our Makers Markets, later opening hours and cultural events such as Warrington Mela, created strong footfall and a fantastic atmosphere for our retailers. We believe our town centre is a welcoming, business-friendly, attractive, and thriving place. We're confident in the future of our town, but we are always looking to improve and welcome all feedback from our businesses and the community."

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