UK high streets have dealt with several blows over the last few years, from stores having to close during the pandemic to soaring inflation costs. 

This is why the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has announced a new survey to determine the future of the UK high street, encouraging retailers across the country to provide information for the report. 

Business Live reported FSB policy chair Tina McKenzie as saying: “Changes in consumer behaviour as well as huge high-tech shifts mean that high streets across the UK are rapidly changing.”

She noted that big brands have been forced to close over the last few years, as a result of falling sales, the cost-of-living crisis and more people turning to online shopping. 

However, independent stores are keeping high streets alive, with Ms McKenzie saying they are “trailblazers”. 

Their varied business models, together with innovative services, means they are offering consumers something different. 

The survey, which launches today (July 13th), will include questions about street cleaning, public transport, and business relief rate. 

It also wants small and medium-sized retailers to say what they think would create the biggest opportunities for the high street to keep them thriving in the future. 

This comes after the British Retail Consortium (BRC) revealed high street footfall increased by 0.6 per cent from June 2022 to June 2023, despite total footfall dropping by 1.9 per cent over the year. 

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