By Timothy Adler on Small Business – Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
Independent small businesses are clawing back the high street after years of being elbowed out by landlords greedy for chain brands.
More small businesses opened rather than closed on the high street for the first time since 2017 over the first half of this year.
The pandemic has accelerated the collapse of chain midmarket brands such as Topshop and Debenhams this year, while home working has led to a boom for local convenience stores, barbers and fast food takeaways as people spend locally.
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This is in significant contrast to the number of chain retail units that fell vacant between January and June, with over 5,000 becoming empty, according to the Local Data Company, which surveyed more than 550,000 units for its study.
Top 10 independent retailer openings H1 2021
TypeNo. of openings
Convenience stores323
Barbers317
Fast food takeaway311
Grocers208
Takeaway food shops184
Mobile phones149
Beauty parlours132
Pizza takeaway104
Ice cream parlours76
Restaurant and bar70
Source: Local Data Company
Independent businesses have taken over these retail units, helped by landlords offering rent-free periods and contributions to fitting-out costs to encourage take-up of empty high street or shopping centre units.
Lucy Stainton, commercial director at