Shop closures as the high street suffers from the pressure of the pandemic
By Julia Gregory, local democracy reporter
Like every London shopping centre, Kensington has been hit by the pandemic and shoppers will notice some big missing high street names when they return after lockdown.
The iconic street has a Tube station named after it and customers can even pop into Marks & Spencer as a shortcut to the station.
What’s more it is the Duchess of Cambridge’s local shopping centre, just down the road from Kensington Palace.
Until the 1970s there were three department stores in Kensington High Street – Derry and Tom’s, Pontings and Barkers, all attracting shoppers.
In 2006 Barkers finally closed but fashion fans still flocked to Kensington Market to browse through the stalls before that site was redeveloped.
More recently the street saw a change in trade with the popularity of online shopping and the opening of Westfield Shepherd’s Bush just under two miles away.
And pre pandemic there were already some empty prime shop fronts, including the upmarket shoe shop Russell and Bromley which moved out in 2018.
The homeware business Argos has also moved out of the high street – but directs customers to its nearest store in Cromwell Road.
Founded in 1972 selling a wide range of items from furniture to toys from its catalogue, the company had 700 stores. It was bought by supermarket giant Sainsbury’s in 1972. According to its website it has over 700 stores.
The pandemic has accelerated the growth of its online business.
And Vision Express is another high street stalwart which has moved. A poster on the shop front tells customers that their records have been transferred to the branch in Chelsea Kings Road.
HSBC bank has also closed its branch and cash point – in a move planned pre-pandemic.
American clothing chain Gap is considering closing all its 95 UK stores and becoming an online business in Europe.
It reportedly told landlords it would pay rent until July.
It’s not all doom and gloom though.
Eco-minded food shop Whole Foods is open 7am to 8am on Fridays reserved for the over 70s and vulnerable shoppers.
And Cass art store has been offering click and collect for those who are concentrating on art projects during lockdown.
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
