Shoppers worried for Royal Wootton Bassett High Street

The Swindon Advertiser spoke to residents in the town about how they thought the main shopping area was faring in challenging times, as more and more shoppers turn to online sites instead.

A third of those spoken to said they felt the quality of the High Street was increasing and around 16 per cent of those spoken to said the standard of shopping had stayed the same.

Yet of those who were interviewed, one-third of residents said they couldn’t think of anything the High Street had gained in the last five years.

Many reported their worries about businesses shutting up shop on the High Street, with particular concern for the closure of Lloyds Bank.

Interviewees were also concerned about the recent closures of printing shops and supermarkets.

Lloyds bank closed in Royal Wootton Bassett in December 2022 (Image: Newsquest)

“Small businesses can't compete against the bigger businesses anymore. It’s diminishing the High Street’s sense of place," said 21-year-old Jack.

Barbara, 79, added: “There are just too many cars. I come to the High Street less often now as it is more practical to shop online."

Another common worry was that the street was rapidly losing its ‘character’ to national chains, although younger members of the public expressed excitement about businesses such as Dominos and Specsavers which were "more convenient" for them.

In recent years, several new independent businesses have opened on Royal Wootton Bassett's High Street.

The Crown Hotel, Crafting Treasures, RWB Auctions and the banking hub are just a few of the businesses that have opened and gone from strength to strength in the last eight months alone.

Traffic in the High Street was a particular concern for some (Image: Newsquest)

The town council has also pointed out that while High Streets have taken a hit, the council is working hard to help facilitate the economic recovery of Bassett's High Street.

This comes after Wiltshire Council allocated £20,000 of funding to Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council in June to help with events, marketing promotion and street scene.

"The deliverables being put forward are: jute bags to promote our Wednesday market, update our Town Map, funding towards town events, hire of a sound system and security radios for our High Street events, wooden planters for our town hall area to prevent unauthorised parking, additional defibrillators, updated Town Guide and a Benchmarking Survey of our Town Centre," said a spokesperson for the town council.

"With the further funding of £20,000, the Town Council is looking forward to assisting with our thriving High Street."