11th March 2026
Retail employment fell more sharply in central high streets and shopping centres than in non-central high streets and retail parks between 2015 and 2024.
The composition of employment in central high streets between 2015 and 2024 shifted away from retail (a 19% decline) into other sectors, particularly accommodation and food services (an 18% increase).
Between the 2011 and 2021 censuses (2022 in Scotland), there was minimal change in the proportion of the population living on or around a high street across countries and regions in Great Britain.
The most recent census estimates show that small town centre high streets have higher proportions of residents aged 65 years and over; major regional centre high streets have higher proportions of younger adult residents.
The mix of occupations of people living on or around most high streets is generally reflective of Great Britain overall, except for the national centre (Central London), which has notably higher proportions of residents classed as being in professional occupations.
Read the full ONS report HERE