The Disappearing High Street: Beloved Brands We Miss
The last decade and a half have witnessed a significant decline in the high street, as the popularity of online shopping has taken its toll. Several iconic brands have vanished from our streets, leaving a sense of nostalgia among many Britons.
Woolworths
Established in 1909, Woolworths was a beloved retailer with 807 branches across the UK. Known for its red logo, bargain stock, and pick-and-mix sweets, it became a staple of the British high street for a century. However, the Great Recession forced it into administration, shutting down its operations in 2008. Today, Woolworth Europe remains active as a shop-only brand in Germany, Austria, and Poland.
BHS
British Home Stores (BHS) was another cherished retailer that met its demise in 2016. Founded in 1928 as an affordable general store, it grew into a high street giant. In 2000, BHS was acquired by Topshop boss Sir Philip Green. However, mismanagement led to its collapse in 2016, resulting in the loss of 11,000 jobs.
Blockbuster
Once boasting over 9,000 stores worldwide, Blockbuster dominated the entertainment industry. It offered a vast selection of DVDs and video games for rental, along with cinema-style snacks. However, the rise of streaming services proved to be its downfall. Blockbuster closed its doors in the UK in 2014, though a handful of independent stores remain open in the US.
Debenhams
Established in 1778, Debenhams was a high street stalwart for generations. However, the COVID-19 pandemic proved too much to bear. The retailer entered administration twice, first in 2019 and again in 2020. By May 2021, all remaining Debenhams shops had closed, leaving behind a significant void in the retail landscape. Today, the brand continues to exist online, having been purchased by fashion giant Boohoo.
Barratts
Barratts, a footwear specialist, also succumbed to the changing retail landscape. After entering administration for the third time in 2013, it closed its doors after 110 years of trading. Despite its popularity, Barratts failed to adapt to the digital age and was unable to withstand the competition from online retailers.
