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How has our high street changed?

  • by JW

In Sidmouth, there were 13 more eating and drinking businesses – an increase of 17%.

The number of retail shops between March 2020 and March 2022 is the same.

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Since the pandemic in March 2020, Sidmouth’s high street has lost its last butcher: Haymans up for sale – Vision Group for Sidmouth

and all but one of its banks: Sidmouth loses yet another high street bank – Vision Group for Sidmouth

However, the high street itself is still very busy – and Sidmouth seems to be doing better than the average town.

The BBC is offering a quick way to see how things have changed:

The full extent of changes to Britain’s High Streets after two years of Covid lockdowns and trading restrictions is revealed in data from Ordnance Survey Postcode checker: how has your High Street changed since 2020? – BBC News

Having put in Newtown, Sidmouth as the postcode, here are the results:

Sidmouth High Street with bunting and flags

Changes on 10 nearby high streets and shopping areas to EX109QQ

Eating & drinking

In March 2020, there were 77 eating and drinking businesses. There were 13 more in March 2022 – an increase of 17%.

In Great Britain overall:

During this period, there was a 4% increase in eating and drinking businesses.

Retail

The number of retail shops between March 2020 and March 2022 is the same.

In Great Britain overall:

During this period, there was a 3% decrease in retail shops.

New opened

Beauty services: 11% increase

Cafes: 12% increase

Clothes shops: 2% decrease

Fast food: 33% increase

Pubs and bars: 45% increase

Restaurants: 18% decreaseEnter another postcode

East Devon

How does East Devon compare with South West and Great Britain?

From 2020 to 2022 in selected categories:

12.5% of banks closed in East Devon.

South West: 8.1% decrease

Great Britain: 8.1% decrease

12.7% more beauty services opened in East Devon.

South West: 4.8% increase

Great Britain: 5.9% increase

4.3% of fish and chip shops closed in East Devon.

South West: 3.5% increase

Great Britain: 2.6% increase

2.3% more public toilets opened in East Devon.

South West: 0.5% decrease

Great Britain: 2.3% decrease

No change in supermarket chains in East Devon.

South West: 1.7% increase

Great Britain: 2.5% increase

No change in tattoo and piercing studios in East Devon.

South West: 7.9% increase

Great Britain: 8.2% increase

Postcode checker: how has your High Street changed since 2020? – BBC News

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