The number of empty shops on UK high streets is rising every year, and Tooting seem to be another London borough that is slowly but surely losing its high street favourites across the town centre.
The closure of shops on our beloved high streets is due to various contributing factors – inflation, parking problems, rising business rates and lower salaries, but mainly due to the increase demand for online shopping, particularly during the pandemic.
The Wandsworth Times visited Mitcham Road, next to Tooting High Street, and counted the empty shop units.
On the way, we counted empty barbershops, takeaway businesses, clothing stores, and empty restaurants and empty apartments have that been isolated for so long they become eroded.
We began counting from Tooting Broadway Underground Station and continued until we reached Amen Corner – approximately a thirteen minute walk.
We counted a grand total of eight empty buildings along Mitcham Road.
A few of the buildings were plastered in graffiti, which proves that they have been unoccupied for quite some time.
Predictably, there seemed to be more empty units towards Amen Corner – presumably because the hustle and bustle of Tooting High Street does not reach this stretch of Mitcham Road.
One of the units – an ex Ladbrokes shop – closed its doors on Mitcham Road and moved locations to 40 Tooting High Street – a two minute walk from its previous spot.
Although there seemed to be a vast number of empty buildings, Tooting is still home to many vibrant and exciting spots, including the award winning Tooting Market, which is home to a food vendors such as Jamaican, Italian, Japanese, Mauritian and many more.
Tooting also has some familiar favourite shops – such as a whopping TK Maxx and three floored Primark – and features many unique charity shops stacked with vintage clothing.
It’s always great to experience new things such as tasting the delicious street food located inside the market, or perhaps a quick shopping spree, but what do you miss on the high street the most?
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