Another empty shop on Lincoln’s post-pandemic High Street

There may still be more closures to come but Lincoln BIG are doing all they can to make the empty units are nicer to look at

The post-pandemic High Street is looking bleak after Thorntons announced the closure of all 61 of their shops.

The convenience of online shopping has overtaken the need to go out, putting the future of the Great British High Street in jeopardy as more people chose to have their shopping brought to them.

Lee Roberts, operations manager at Lincoln Business Improvement Group said: “The empty units on the High Street make it look as though no investment is going into the city centre.

Imps mirage in the city centre. — One empty High Street unit has been decorated with a mirage inspired by the stained-glass windows at the cathedral. The unit, formerly home to Boots, shows one of the ways that empty units are made into less of an eye sore.

“However, Lincoln BIG are currently working on a project to make these empty shops less of an eye sore.”

Sally Blackman, 42 from Bardney is eager to get back to the High Street and wants to make a conscious effort to support the shops when they reopen.

She added: “You don’t always miss what you’ve got until it’s gone. It’s sad to see shops closing that you always remember being there.”

Footfall on the High Street has decreased by 78% in a year, but once things reopen, it is hoped that the footfall will return back to pre-pandemic levels.

Mr Roberts said: “People are craving that retail experience, interacting with people, and touching products.

“We may still see some more shop closures before the end of lockdown. But if the government’s roadmap goes ahead as planned, many businesses will be saved.”