More than 10 shop units empty on Bromley High Street

The view of empty shops or retail units for sale has become a normal site for many businesses and residents in the past year after the pandemic hit.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Local Data Company (LDC) found that fashion retailers had been hardest hit with the continued surge in online business in the sector and the closure of high street institutions including Debenhams and Topshop.

Shopping centres were the hardest hit, with nearly one in five units sitting empty – a 19.4 per cent vacancy rate – followed by high streets with a vacancy rate of 14.5 per cent. 

• READ MORE: The unspoken rules of Bromley - as told by its residents

Overall vacancy rates were 14.5% in Britain, up from 14.1% in the first quarter of the year – meaning the number of empty shops has increased for the past three years.

Over on Bromley High Street, several stores remained dormant in between bigger surviving chains - such as Poundland and H&M.

On Tuesday (August 17), News Shopper took a trip to Bromley High Street.

Walking from the bottom of the High Street at Bromley South train station to the top at Bromley North train station, we counted some 11 store fronts that were either boarded up, permanently closed or lying empty behind locked glass doors.

At the bottom of the High Street, were two industrial units which stood visibly empty only one unit away from each other.

As we continued to walk up the high street, more shops were seen completely boarded up with 'for sale' or 'to let' signs.

The old Laura Ashley store still remains and empty unit, and a derelict store in a popular location next to WH Smiths was also showing 'to let'.

High street brand GAP looked to be on its way to be empty too with huge signs outside for its 'closing down sale'.

During our walk along the high street, we spoke to several shoppers who live in the London Borough of Bromley.

Alex said: "It's a shame to see all these empty shops as the high street does seem to be popular again. It's busy out today."

"It's because everyone has got so used to being online and at home" added Georgia.

Assain said he thinks it's the way of the future since the pandemic.

Stores counted only include along the high street and not on nearby or adjoining roads.

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