Walking Through a Fading Birmingham High Street - Exploring Cotteridge's Dying Shops and Businesses
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- Опубліковано 8 жов 2023
- Join me as I take a sobering walk through Cotteridge's high street in Birmingham and document the many closed and abandoned shops that once made it thrive. This once-bustling district now stands eerily quiet, a shadow of its former self. As major retailers pull out and more local businesses shut their doors, the high street deteriorates year after year. From major bank branches to family-owned restaurants, decades-old stores to new startups, nothing has been spared from the effects of changing shopping habits and rising costs. The impact is clear to see as I tour the vacant storefronts and peeling signs of companies long gone. With a lack of foot traffic, sense of community has faded in this now-empty stretch of Birmingham. It's a sad sight, but one that can be seen across many high streets in the UK as the physical shopping experience struggles to survive. This is the tale of one district center brought to its knees but still fighting to regain its purpose.
what a lovely tour of this high street thanks
Glad you enjoyed it
This is happening all over the country. What I don’t understand is this…. With so many shops closing and everything you ever need just a phone call , an internet order and delivery away…. Why are the roads so busy. Where is everyone going. Rush hour seems to last all day now….. it’s not just school runs and trips to work… the roads are bonkers…..
You raise a really good point - with online shopping and deliveries, you'd think roads would be less congested these days. But traffic still seems nonstop!
I think you're right that it's not just commuters and parents doing school runs clogging up the roads now. Even as physical shops close, people seem to be out and about running other errands or just getting out of the house.
The prevelance of food/grocery delivery doesn't mean people aren't still popping out to grab takeaway or go to supermarkets in person too. And with more folks working from home, maybe daytime roads seem more filled as people run errands when they'd normally be at an office.
It's an interesting observation how busy roads endure even as high streets and retail transform. I imagine e-commerce deliveries contribute their share to traffic as well. But people still have reasons to get out and about around their community during the day.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment! I'm glad my walking tour videos can provide a nice break from being stuck in all that traffic. There's still value in getting out to appreciate your local high street on foot when you can. Let me know if you have any other perspectives to share!
Online shopping that needs to be delivered you mean lol
@@AlisonKerstinaDavis Thanks
also card factorys gone from here too
Thanks for watching and your comments
there will be only charity shops , barbers and takeway shop left here soon.
You make a fair point - with the challenges facing many brick-and-mortar retailers, some high streets do seem to be moving toward a future dominated by charity shops, takeaways, and essential services like barbers. That's definitely a concern for the uniqueness and vibrancy of places like Cotteridge.
However, I'm hopeful we can maintain a good mix of local independent businesses as well! On my walking tour, I try to highlight specialty shops and creative enterprises that keep the high street inviting. Places like cafes, bakeries, greengrocers, and boutiques still draw people in while serving the community.
It may require locals making an extra effort to shop small, entrepreneurs getting innovative with their store concepts, and community support for new businesses. But neighborhoods like Cotteridge have pride and care about preserving local flavor.
Change is inevitable, but by patronizing those independent establishments when we can, they stand a better chance of sticking around. I appreciate you voicing your concern - it's a reminder that we should value those businesses before they're gone! Let me know if you have any other thoughts.
Strange to see so many premises with tenants but shuttered up in the day.
Thanks for pointing that out in my video. I noticed several storefronts along Pershore Road that were shuttered up too, despite having tenants.
You're right, it is a bit strange and concerning to see. There could be a few reasons for it - some tenants might keep irregular hours and only open late or on certain days. Others may be using the space for storage but not actively operating a shop. Unfortunately, some could be struggling businesses trying to reduce costs.
It's an interesting observation and reflects some of the challenges faced by both tenants and landlords on today's high streets. Online shopping has certainly changed brick-and-mortar retail. But I'm hopeful unique local shops can adapt and hang on by playing up the in-person experience.
I try to highlight local businesses that are open when filming these walking tours. But the closed up ones are noteworthy too as we look at the changing face of high streets. Thanks again for picking up on this and commenting! Let me know if you have any other perspectives.
Which shops?
even the cheap food shops gone from here
Thank you for your comments
wheres greggs gone? £stretchers closing soon too. this high street is dying .
Thank you for watching and your comments