LOCALS in a seaside town have told how fifteen shops have closed on their high street in the space of a few months.
Some complained there was “nothing to do any more” following the “sad” decline.
Worthing saw a surge in closures between 2023 and 2024, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) – which also revealed that 625 shops had closed in the wider county of Sussex.
This constitutes a 10 per cent drop in retailers in a blow to both shoppers and local business.
One shopper, Sally Richards, told the BBC: “It's sad that there is hardly any big departmental stores now.”
Another, Claire Szaja, said the town was “not doing as well as it used to”.
“I have seen businesses cutting hours and even closing down in the last few months which is sad,” she added.
Meanwhile, local businesswoman Lorette Sprackling said her shop, Bijou Boutique, had seen “a bad winter”, with low footfall.
She added: “It's not a good sign to have that many shops empty. It's quite upsetting knowing there's that many shops to let.”
The news follows a string of closures across the UK – as businesses face economic pressures and the rise of online shopping.
Last month saw the that WH Smith was selling off nearly 500 of its stores – with 20 closing in the coming weeks.
The company has been a permanent fixture on Britain's high streets for centuries – but will now be confined to just train stations and airports.
Meanwhile, announcement threaten to see off businesses across the globe.
Around 60 countries dubbed the “worst offenders” by the US President have been slapped with the huge increases– including a .
The UK faces a 10 per cent baseline levy on all imports to the US – with a
Other shops leaving the high street
, one of Britain's oldest department stores, has after more than 140 years.
The company will shut its branch in Poole's Dolphin Centre on May 31.
The sale includes fashion, furniture, gifts and cosmetics, being sold for up to 70% off.
Beales chief executive Tony Brown blamed the “devastating impact” of the rise in and the higher for the store closure.
Meanwhile, high street fashion chain has as it scales back its UK footprint.
It is understood to be shutting nearly 100 stores – equivalent to around a quarter of its 364 shops.
Stores in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, St Austell, and Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf have launched closing down sales.
Reports suggest that the company has been forced to accelerate the pace of due to tax changes in the .
Meanwhile, due to excessive costs.
The gift shop became a local icon after it opened in the 1990s.
