Fears Grow as Bournemouth Faces ‘Ghost Town’ Status After Retailer Exit
Bournemouth residents express concern over the town’s decline as Superdrug closes, adding to a growing list of retail closures.
Bournemouth, UK, Superdrug, WH Smith, Retail Closures, High Street
Bournemouth: It’s a tough time for this seaside town. Superdrug, a big name on the high street, has decided to close its doors. Locals are worried it’s turning into a “ghost town.”
People are calling the closure “ridiculous,” especially with WH Smith also shutting down soon. This isn’t just a one-off; it’s part of a bigger trend. Over 13,000 shops closed in just 11 months last year, and that’s a lot of lost places to shop.
With so many stores disappearing, around 250,000 retail jobs have vanished too. Residents are shocked and left wondering what’s going on. They’re asking, “What went wrong?”
Even though there are a few other Superdrug locations in Bournemouth, they’re not close to the town center. The closure leaves a big empty space right across from the shopping arcade, and one local said, “Bournemouth has died.”
Superdrug hasn’t said why they’re leaving, but it seems the landlord wants to redevelop the site. Instead of a big store, there will be eight smaller units. It’s a real head-scratcher for many who loved shopping there.
WH Smith is also pulling back, focusing on travel and kiosk stores instead. They plan to open more of those by the end of the year. It’s a sign of the times, and it’s not looking great for high streets.
Even though people are spending a bit more these days, experts warn that things could get worse. The government’s decision to raise National Insurance Contributions is expected to hit businesses hard, adding a hefty tax bill.
A recent survey showed that three-quarters of businesses are feeling the pinch from rising employment costs. Experts predict that this year could see over 17,000 more shop closures and a staggering 200,000 job losses.
Professor Joshua Bamfield from the Centre for Retail Research said the outlook isn’t good. He noted that while closures weren’t as bad as in previous years, the future looks grim. Rising costs for businesses and households could lead to even more job losses than during the pandemic.