YOU may have seen or heard some rather disturbing stories about the state of Britain’s High Streets, after the accountancy firm PwC published a report saying that in the first six months of this year, retailers had closed 2,700 shops across the UK.

The report also claimed that fashion and electrical stores have been the hardest hit by changing shopping habits.

Business rates have been blamed for the current plight of many firms and the Government has said that it has created a £675m fund to help High Streets adapt to the new world of spending habits and that it intends to slash business rates.

Frustratingly, the report doesn’t mention what efforts are already being delivered to help retailers and local businesses through these challenging times. Southend, of course, has not been immune to store closures or concerns that others may cease trading. However, Southend BID is doing everything it can.

Curiously, whereas traditional High Street retailers are struggling to compete with their internet counterparts, supermarkets, book shops, ice cream parlours and coffee shops are quietly adding new retail units to their portfolios.

For a town like Southend there are certainly new opportunities presenting themselves. With the Big Lights Switch On taking place on Saturday, there’s yet another reason to come and enjoy free entertainment, relax with friends or family and, indeed, support our retailers and restaurants.

Alison Dewey