On Tuesday, January 27, the Government announced the first steps towards new national policies which might breathe fresh life into retail areas which have been hit hard by the rise in internet shopping, hikes in operating costs and pressure on consumer spending, particularly in the wake of the Covid pandemic.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “If we’re going to restore the pride in our communities, we need our pubs and our high streets to thrive. We’re backing British pubs with additional support, and our new High Streets Strategy will help tackle the long-term challenges that our much-loved retail, leisure and hospitality businesses have faced.
“Thriving local businesses, bustling high streets and pride restored in our communities – that’s what this government is delivering.”
In the wake of the announcement, The Guardian has run a series of special reports on how people’s impression of their local high street is fundamental to their sense of local pride – and growing political anger which could play a big part in the next General Election.
Much of that pride and anger is about feelings, but what do the facts say?
The Guardian also analysed Government and Ordnance Survey data to explore how local high streets all over the country changed between 2019 and 2025.
Though it only offers a snapshot and not the whole story, here is what the data shows bout some of Derbyshire’s biggest population centres.
9. Eckington
A lower share of empty shops (3%) compared to the national average (5%), and in many categories of high street business more operators were recorded than the national average. Between 2019 and 2025, the proportion of retailers fell from 73% to 65%, while accommodation, food and drink operators rose from 27% to 35% of all businesses. There was growth in barbershops and hairdressers (a 56% increase since 2019), cafés (114%), clothing shops (140%), discount stores (50%) and chemists (25%). On the decline were banks (down 57%) and department stores (down 50%), Photo: Google
10. Shirebrook
A higher share of empty shops (9%) compared to the national average (5%), but in many categories of high street business more operators were recorded than the national average. Between 2019 and 2025, the proportion of retailers fell from 64% to 55%, while accommodation, food and drink operators rose from 36% to 45% of all businesses. There was growth in the number of restaurants (up 133%) and discount stores (up 200%). On the decline were barbers and hairdressers (down 5% on 2019), cash machines (20%), chemists (17%), clothing shops (50%), tattoo and piercing studios (40%) and florists (40%) Photo: Google
11. Matlock
A higher share of empty shops (10%) compared to the national average (5%), but in many categories of high street business more operators were recorded than the national average. Between 2019 and 2025, the proportion of retailers fell from 66% to 60%, while accommodation, food and drink operators rose from 34% to 40% of all businesses. There was growth in the number of barbershops and hairdressers (a 21% increase since 2019), pubs and bars (20%), restaurants (57%) and clothing shops (14%). On the decline were cafés (down 18% on 2019), opticians (33%), cash machines (33%), chemists (33%), banks (80%) and department stores (33%). Photo: Google
12. New Mills
A higher share of empty shops (9%) compared to the national average (5%), but in several categories of high street business more operators were recorded than the national average. Between 2019 and 2025, the proportion of retailers fell from 56% to 47%, while accommodation, food and drink operators rose from 44% to 53% of all businesses. There data shows no particular growth sectors, while on the decline were barbers and hairdressers (down 7%), restaurants (25%), cash machines (33%), banks (67%) and opticians (down 50%). Photo: Jason Chadwick