High Street Decay Emerges as Critical Election Issue for Labour
Labour faces potential electoral devastation at the next general election unless it urgently addresses the accelerating decline of Britain's high streets, according to a comprehensive new study. The research reveals a growing tide of discontent among voters who view deteriorating town centres as symbolic of wider neglect by Westminster politicians.
Voters Prioritise High Street Revival
According to polling conducted by YouGov, improving shopping precincts ranks as the third most important local issue for voters, surpassed only by good healthcare provision and reducing crime. This places high street regeneration firmly at the heart of electoral concerns, with researchers warning that political parties ignore this issue at their peril.
The University of Southampton study found that people perceive high streets to have declined more significantly than any other aspect of their local area over the past decade. This perception has been fuelled by the collapse of household retail brands and rising incidents of shoplifting, creating what researchers describe as a "deep sense of place-based resentment" towards central government.
Reform UK Supporters Express Strongest Discontent
Supporters of Reform UK were notably more likely than other voters to report significant decline in their local areas, highlighting how high street deterioration has become a potent political issue. Labour MPs have expressed increasing alarm about the state of town centres, recognising that for many constituents, thriving high streets represent a barometer of local prosperity.
The situation has been exacerbated by business backlash over substantial increases to business rates in November's budget. In response to mounting anger, the government announced a business rates discount for pubs alongside a promised "high street strategy" with detailed measures to be revealed later this year.
Transformation of Britain's Retail Landscape
New analysis of Ordnance Survey and Landmark Information data reveals the dramatic transformation of Britain's high streets between 2019 and 2025. The Guardian investigation found at least 8,000 fewer retail outlets, as traditional shopping patterns faltered and new business types emerged to fill vacant units.
The winners in this retail revolution include:
- Restaurants, which expanded from just over 17,000 to 25,000 establishments
- Vape shops, increasing by an estimated 38%
- Discount stores, rising by 41%
- Tattoo and piercing salons, growing by 20%
- Hairdressers, increasing by 17%
- High street gyms, expanding by 46%
Meanwhile, traditional retail sectors have suffered significant losses:
- Department stores declined from over 1,700 to just over 1,000
- Betting shops lost more than a fifth of their outlets
- Clothing shops fell by 13%
- Florists declined by 24%
- Stationers reduced by 23%
- Nightclubs decreased by almost a fifth
Fundamental Changes in Consumer Behaviour
Much of this transformation stems from the acceleration of online shopping during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Office for National Statistics data, online retail sales increased from 19% to 28% of total sales between October 2019 and October 2025.
Despite inflationary pressures, demand for eating out rebounded strongly after lockdown restrictions eased, driving restaurant expansion. The rise in e-cigarette use among younger adults has fuelled vaping shop proliferation, while bargain stores have targeted cash-strapped consumers following the cost of living crisis.
Erosion of Basic Amenities
The data highlights concerning reductions in essential high street facilities. Public toilets have declined by a fifth as English councils cut discretionary spending to protect legally required services like adult social care. Cash machines have plummeted from 4,380 to 2,573 as card payments dominate transactions.
Leigh Ingham, a Labour MP, described a "proper sense of decline in our towns," attributing this to "the heritage of 14 years of austerity." She supports legislation allowing councils to temporarily take control of empty shops for community projects until permanent tenants are found.
Political Implications and Government Response
Professor Will Jennings, who led the University of Southampton research, warned that Labour's political fate depends on addressing this local gloom. "Our report reveals a high level of place-based resentment in British politics," he stated. "People tend to think that politicians in Westminster don't care about their region and that not enough is being done to improve the economic situation."
The study builds on previous YouGov surveys showing a collapse in local pride between the end of Boris Johnson's premiership in September 2022 and Rishi Sunak's departure in July 2024. While there was a partial rebound under Labour last year, the state of high streets remained the issue people felt had worsened most over the past decade.
The government has launched a £5 billion, 10-year regeneration programme under its "pride in place" scheme. Some 250 locations across England, Scotland and Wales will receive up to £20 million each to support locally led plans revitalising town centres and bringing vacant units back into use. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has also announced that Britain's first "town of culture" will be crowned in 2026.
Business Community Calls for Practical Support
Business groups warn that regeneration schemes must be accompanied by practical assistance. Tina McKenzie, policy chair at the Federation of Small Businesses, emphasised that high streets remain vital to employment, community pride and wellbeing, but face "a vicious cycle setting in" without help with costs including business rates, staffing and energy bills.
She stressed that maintaining a diverse mix of businesses is essential for sustaining footfall, noting that "high streets keep on evolving to reflect changing customer needs."
A Guardian analysis of Land Registry data reveals that almost a fifth of freeholdings in England and Wales's shopping districts are owned by real estate companies, with less than 2% owned by retailers. The investigation identified 94 retail areas where a majority of freehold land titles were held by a single company or council.
As Britain approaches the next general election, the state of high streets has emerged as a critical political battleground, with voters demanding tangible action to reverse decline and restore pride in their local communities.
