Skip to main content

Labour analysis reveals places most at risk of ‘hollowed out high streets’

ANALYSIS by Labour has revealed the places where high streets are most at risk of being hollowed out by the collapse of hospitality, leisure, retail and tourism businesses during the pandemic.

In England, 11.7 per cent of all businesses are deemed non-essential, with this category including hotels and B&Bs, restaurants and pubs, clothing and book shops, travel agencies and hairdressing and beauty salons. 

Labour analysis of Office for National Statistics data has spotlighted the places in England with a higher-than-average proportion of these businesses, with local economies therefore most reliant on their trade and most at risk if they go bust.

The Isles of Scilly tops the list with 44.4 per cent of the local economy reliant on such businesses, followed by Torbay with 20.3 per cent, Cornwall with 20.2 per cent and the Isle of Wight with 20.2 per cent.

The other areas on the list are Blackpool, Brighton, Rutland, York, Thurrock, Bath and North Somerset, Dorset, Cumbria, Devon, East Sussex, Southend, North Yorkshire, Nottingham, Northumberland, Herefordshire and Shropshire.

Shadow business secretary Ed Miliband said: “Standing by and letting these businesses collapse with the vaccine roll-out making huge progress and recovery in sight would be absolutely devastating for business owners and employees who have done the right thing by shutting to help tackle the virus.  

“The government must stand up for local high streets and abandon the sink-or-swim approach. 

“They must urgently confirm they will extend business-rates relief to give struggling businesses the breathing room they need. We cannot allow these places to be hollowed out.” 

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 13,288
We need:£ 4,712
3 Days remaining
Donate today