3 minute read

[New] SIDCUP Spotlight

CONTENTS

Welcome Hospitality 9 Events 10-12

Enquiries

Sidcup Partners

I Elm Parade, Main Road, Sidcup DA14 5NF

Tel: 0208 302 4970 cheryl@sidcuppartners.co.uk https://sidcuppartners.co.uk

Media No. 2005

Published January 2023 © Benham Publishing

PUBLISHER

Ian Fletcher

Benham Publishing Limited

Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ

Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: admin@benhampublishing.com Web: www.benhampublishing.com

FEATURES

Karen Hall

Tel: 07801 788 880 Email: karen@benhampublishing.com

EDITOR

David Burrows

Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: david@benhampublishing.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Chris Millett

Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: chris@benhampublishing.com

DISCLAIMER

I am writing this article with very mixed feelings as this will be the last time I will be contributing to the Sidcup Spotlight Magazine as I will be retiring in March 2023.

After starting my career with Marks and Spencer and then spending well over twenty years in managing town centres I have seen many changes .

Two decades is a long time in retail, and nowhere has felt the pace of change more than the local high street. Below are some of the key ways our high streets have changed since 1997.

The high street before coffee Coffee culture wasn’t a thing in 1997 – back then, a shopping stop meant a quick cuppa in the BHS cafe. London got its first Starbucks the following year.

It’s convenient

In 1997, we could choose between the local Spar or the corner shop. Today, there are mini supermarkets on every corner. Opinion is divided on their pros and cons – but they certainly attract customers to the high street.

Artisans and crafts

We also have independent shops selling local artisan produce, craft beers, fancy breads, hand-made chocolates – the list is endless.

Get away...

The presence of high street travel agents has fallen in the last couple of decades, with 76% of holidays now booked online. We miss those piles of glossy brochures.

Permanent changes

In 1997, tattoos were more likely to raise a (natural) eyebrow. Now, 29% of adults under 44 have tattoos and tattoo parlours are up 173% over the last decade.

It’s for charity

There are 10,500 charity shops in Britain and Ireland. Are we more charitable than we once were –or just having difficulties filling commercial units? The trend to re-use and recycle to protect our environment has also grown.

Wheres Woolworths?

Gaps have been left by once-indestructible giants: BHS, C&A, Dixons, Woolworths... Pick ‘n’ mix just isn’t the same from a supermarket.

Out-of-town shops

The out-of-town shopping centre was a novelty in the ‘90s. Now we travel to them without even thinking – and so have many high street clothing stores.

No more entertaining

With more affordable electrical goods, there’s little need for companies like Radio Rentals. Blockbuster tried to adapt but couldn’t compete with on-demand streaming.

Electrical impulse shopping

1997 saw the first MP3 player mass-produced in South Korea, while we admired the latest Discman in Comet. Comet closed its doors in 2012, and today electrical goods are rarely bought in town.

Phoning it in

20 years ago, we still used public payphones.

Mobile power

British consumers are set to spend £27 billion this year via m-commerce, moving custom away from traditional retail. However, every Cloud has a silver lining, and there are a lot of phone shops around.

Not processing

It was always so exciting to take your holiday snaps to be processed – and then digital took off. Photography chain Jessops went into administration in 2013 but, thanks to Dragon Peter Jones, is starting to reappear on our high streets.

Many residents fondly recall the way the high street was twenty years ago, However we can’t go back and need to adapt and embrace change and continue to support the local high street community. I feel very optimistic about the future for Sidcup as we see inward investment with the new cinema

Life after dark

As shops left, bars and restaurants moved in. This has been a positive change for the high street, which used to be tumbleweed central after six o’clock.

Closing time

However, the town public House has been a loser, with CAMRA claiming that British pubs are closing at a rate of 27 every week.

Take it away

Thanks

to food delivery services like Deliveroo, Hungry House and Just Eat, takeaway restaurants are up 45% since 1997.

A healthy economy

Contrarily, we’re also healthier, with high street health clubs and gyms popping up faster than we can run to them.

Stay beautiful

We also like to look good. In 2016, more beauty salons opened on the UK high street than any other type of business.

Paying up

Remember when some shops took only cash, or accepted cheques? These days, even antique shops have chip and PIN machines.

Odds in favour?

Want to bet on the next high street trend? Easy. Betting shops are on the up, with an increase of around 50% since 2004.

library and Marks and Spencer opening. In addition the Sidcup Partners will continue to work in partnership with local organisations and deliver some exciting events.

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