“Bring Back Woolworths, and Debenhams” : Havering Residents Feel Our High Streets Are Too Shabby and Full of Makeshift Shops.

Yesterday, the Havering Daily asked readers what shops they would like to see on our high streets that are currently missing. The response was overwhelming and revealed just how frustrated many residents are with the state of our town centres.

Many readers told us they are unhappy with how shabby our high streets have become, with too many shops looking untidy, poorly maintained and very makeshift. There is a strong feeling that our high streets no longer feel welcoming or attractive and that this is putting people off spending time or money locally.

Readers were clear that they want to see a return to a proper mix of shops. A combination of large, well known names alongside good quality independent businesses was mentioned time and time again. Many spoke fondly about old fashioned style grocery shops and much loved independent bookshops that once gave our high streets character and a sense of community.

There was also strong nostalgia for former high street favourites. Readers said they would love to see the return of stores such as Debenhams, Woolworths and the much loved C & A that once stood in the Market Place. These were shops people trusted and grew up with, and many feel their loss has left a big gap.

Alongside this, residents are keen to see new and popular brands brought in. Shops such as Zara were frequently mentioned, with readers saying these kinds of retailers would help draw people back into our town centres and make them feel modern and relevant again.

Many also stressed the importance of bringing back independent shops that were once a staple of our high streets. These were businesses run by local people, offering something different and helping high streets feel unique rather than identical to everywhere else.

A repeated concern was the number of phone accessory shops and vape shops appearing across Havering. Readers said they feel there are simply too many of them and that they add to the sense of decline rather than improvement. Several described them as contributing to the untidiness and shabby feel that now dominates parts of our high streets.

Better food outlets were also high on the wish list. Hornchurch residents in particular expressed a strong desire for a Marks and Spencer food outlet, saying it would be a welcome addition and help raise the overall standard of the high street.

Overall, residents want our high streets revamped. They feel there is currently a real sense of untidiness and shabbiness, which is not attracting the quality high street brand names many would like to see. Without change, many fear our town centres will continue to struggle, rather than becoming places people are proud of again.

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