Rapidly changing times ahead for fast-adapting High Street

A leading city business group is predicting fewer stores in Canterbury as online shopping increasingly takes bigger bites out of High Street takings.

Lisa Carlson, who heads the Canterbury Connected Business Improvement District, known as BID, fears traditional retail space could shrink due to “rapidly changing times” she describes as “a bit scary”.

She was speaking after the festive season brought some respite for hard-pressed stores in Canterbury, where there were both winners and losers.

“We don’t have the figures yet, but anecdotally I am hearing that some stores did well and some not so, “she said.

One concern is that shops will be replaced by more places to eat and drink - the latest example being the closure of Steamer Trading in Burgate, which is being replaced by a Harris and Hoole coffee lounge.

Another significant site up for sale is the nearby Blacks outdoor shop which is holding a closing down sale. It is believed to be relocating to smaller premises elsewhere in the city.

Tellingly, the landlord has applied for planning permission to add ‘A3 restaurant’ to its potential future uses.

But Mrs Carlson, whose organisation funds city centre enhancements and activities from a levy on traders, remains confident the city is in a better position than many locations to continue thriving.

“It is worth noting that 80% of sales are still from brick and mortar but there is no doubt the

influence of online shopping is increasing,” she said.

At least 10 shops are currently empty in the city, but Mrs Carlson says vacancy rates are actually better than in 2013.

“Whitefriars, for example, is fully occupied and the city’s footfall count remains strong with an average of around 210,000 a week,” she said.

She believes the future for Canterbury is as an attractive destination for visitors, who will then be tempted to shop, eat and drink, but she admits that parking remains a “bugbear” issue.

She also thinks that as the presence on the High Street of national chains comes under increasing pressure from online shopping, the independents will play a bigger role.

“There may be less retail space needed in the future. It sounds a bit scary, but I think Canterbury is in a strong position if we and traders and the city council work together,” she said.

The Canterbury BID levies traders to pay for extra services and features to make the city centre more attractive.

This includes Christmas lights, hanging baskets, street cleaning, BID ambassadors and helping organise and promote family-orientated activities like treasure hunts.

In June or July, BID will be balloting traders again and Mrs Carlson is hoping her team will be able to convince them the money has been spent to their advantage, and to vote for a second five-year term.