Stratford high street shows vacancy and safety concerns

A historic town known for Shakespeare attracts visitors, yet its high street shows vacancies and safety concerns that draw local scrutiny.

Stratford High Street Faces Decline Despite Tourism

Stratford-upon-Avon draws about two million visitors each year for Shakespeare’s birthplace and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Yet the town’s high street shows a different side, with long-standing stores closed and empty units punctuating Henley and Bridge streets. A number of shops have shut since 2020, including Debenhams, and BHS has sat empty for more than a decade. In place of department stores, visitors now see more cafes, vape shops, and Turkish barbers as turnover tightens and footfall remains mostly tourist-led.

Local workers and residents say rising rents and the shift to online shopping are squeezing small retailers. They also point to antisocial behaviour and safety concerns, especially after reports of crime near shopfronts and the arrival of private security patrols. Council officials describe a national retail downturn and say they are pursuing a mix of strategies—from the vacant high streets programme to better policing and plans to repurpose large empty stores—to keep Stratford’s centre alive while the market cycles through its tougher years.

The town’s story sits at a crossroads of heritage and modern retail. Stratford can stay a living town for locals and visitors if it broadens what the street offers beyond Shakespeare branding and preserves affordable space for everyday shops. But the risk is clear: if vacancy rates persist, the town could slip from a vibrant daily experience into a curated museum of its own history. Balancing preservation with practical use will require coordinated action from council, business groups, and developers, not just nostalgia.

The debate also poses a political question about how much a local authority should intervene in private markets. The plan to attract new tenants and repurpose big sites is sensible, yet funding remains uncertain and timelines are long. In the meantime, Stratford must decide whether it wants to primarily celebrate its past or actively shape its future through targeted incentives, safer streets, and a diversified mix of shops and experiences.

Highlights

Stratford faces a choice between keeping its story intact and building a living, affordable high street for all.