'The high street is on a knife edge' - South West businesses divided over future

ITV News' Richard Lawrence spoke to businesses and customers around Exeter about the festive period.

Ahead of 2025, businesses across the West Country have been divided over their future as Boxing Day sales fell nationwide compared to last year.

Two thirds of Boxing Day purchases were thought to be online according to figures from Barclays.

In the Clifton area of Bristol, independent shop owners said they’ve noticed a change in footfall. 

Louisa Dark owns Otomi, a shop that sells traditional Mexican products. 

She said: “It’s definitely quieter, but the whole run up to Christmas was quieter. We had a busy few days, one week maximum felt like Christmas but normally all of December does. 

“There’s a lot of people milling around, but not so many coming in and buying.”

Kate Gavin, owner of Bar Chocolat, said: “I would say it definitely feels quieter. I think it’s important for people to come out and support Clifton village which is of course the majority independents and so we’re really relying on people coming into the village. 

“January is key for keeping the businesses going.” 

Elsewhere in Bristol, Cribbs Causeway shopping centre said although several major stores were closed on Boxing Day, the overall festive period actually saw an increase in footfall.

Between 24-27 December, footfall across the shopping centre was up 8.41% compared to same period last year.

Chris Poyser, who has owned a gift shop in Devizes for almost 25 years - said 2024 was the toughest year for his store and "the high street is on a knife edge."

Rose Webster, a business owner in the town centre of Devizes, said that more long-term changes are needed to help businesses survive.

"We have the challenges of business rates in towns - towns are becoming more of a polo town where the centre is hollowed out by these massive business rates. And then you have the outskirts of towns where industrial estates and the companies who don't have to pay the same we do."

A pub owner in the village of Ide near Exeter says he's been encouraged by strong trade over the festive period.

Colin Chapman said: "There is a desire to support all the organisations in the village. We have three pubs located within walking distance in the village, and all of them are well supported. It is one of those vital community things where you have to be using it or there is a real risk of losing it."

It's a mixed bag in Exeter though. Judith Hyde, who owns a card and gift shop, said sales had fallen by 20% in the last year.

She said: "If we did a body count [of customers] it's about the same amount of people as last year, but just spending a lot less money, very cautious with their cash - as we all are because we are all up against it."

Richard Marsh, the CEO of Exeter Chamber of Commerce, said that 2025 will be a test for retail in Exeter, due to trends such as higher wage increases and increased national insurance contributions.

"Those changes are going to impact the national living wage, the minimum wage - everyone needs to own a fair amount for a fair day's work, but those changes do present challenges."

However, with empty stores such as the Debenhams and its neighbours in Exeter city centre bought by the Fraser Group in early 2025, and the upcoming redevelopment of the Royal Clarence Hotel in flats and shops - there is some optimism for the future.