Better Accessibility Key to Boosting High Streets

High streets across the UK’s towns and cities are continuing to decline. Footfall in shopping centres, retail parks and high streets dropped by 2.2% and sales decreased by 7.9% in December 2024 — ordinarily a peak shopping period — compared to 2023. This is leading to an increase in empty stores, with 8,543 shops closing in the year up to November 2024.

Centres are becoming less welcoming and more like a wasteland, particularly for older people and those with accessibility issues who face specific challenges when visiting these areas. This is despite these individuals being some of the most frequent high street visitors and biggest spenders.

According to Living Streets, of all the trips to English high streets that over-60s make, 29% of them are to go shopping. Half of Baby Boomers also prefer to shop in-store over online. This is despite the rising cost of living, with 59% saying their household spending was higher in October 2023 compared to the previous year.

However, accessibility barriers mean town and city centres aren’t fully leveraging this inflation-proof spending behaviour. In fact, by removing these obstacles for older people, high street shops could see an estimated £267 million increase in monthly revenues, according to research by the University of Stirling.

Accessibility barriers for high street spenders

High street retailers have been battling drops in footfall and customer spending for more than a decade. Over the same period, organisations campaigning for better accessibility and older peoples’ wellbeing such as Age UK have been championing the need for town and city centres to improve conditions.

For less accessible high streets, research has found that badly-maintained or unsafe walkways, fewer comfort features and reduced public transport services are the three main barriers for older visitors.

Unsafe pavements

Whether individuals are exploring on foot, with mobility aids or in a wheelchair, high quality pavements and pedestrianised walkways are essential for attracting and keeping older shoppers safe. With nearly a million outdoor falls among older adults in England each year costing taxpayers as much as £0.5 billion annually, fixing surface quality won’t just help boost the economy but save public money.

Narrow pavements also make it less likely for older adults to explore town centres. Street clutter such as bins, rubbish and A-boards taking up space on walkways also increased the effort required to get out and about, particularly at busy times. Alongside widening these footpaths, improving their continuity and increasing the availability of safe crossings also improve the walking experience for older adults.

Fewer seats and loos

Access to comfort facilities, including toilets and places to rest, are essential for older adults to have an enjoyable high street shopping experience. Without these, people can’t spend as long away from home and won’t feel confident enough to visit regularly. This is particularly the case for those with restricted mobility, who don’t feel that their physical or social wellbeing is supported without these rest areas.

A Welsh survey found that two-thirds of people were deterred from visiting town centres due to closed facilities like public toilets, while 15.3% of disabled people who experienced difficulties accessing products and services said there weren’t enough places to rest.

Although, this wasn't the case for everyone. Public benches also become sites for antisocial behaviour, or make for an inadequate resting space in areas crowded by heavy traffic and footfall.

How many accessible public toilets are there?

Some UK cities fare better than others when it comes to providing accessible public toilets. According to analysis by Age UK, these are the best 10:

• Chichester – 4.85 accessible public toilets per 10,000 people
• Wells – 3.80 accessible public toilets per 10,000 people
• Ely – 3.46 accessible public toilets per 10,000 people
• Brighton and Hove – 2.93 accessible public toilets per 10,000 people
• Truro – 2.66 accessible public toilets per 10,000 people
• Portsmouth – 1.80 accessible public toilets per 10,000 people
• Bath – 1.80 accessible public toilets per 10,000 people
• Winchester – 1.63 accessible public toilets per 10,000 people
• Wrexham – 1.46 accessible public toilets per 10,000 people
• Armagh – 1.35 accessible public toilets per 10,000 people

Meanwhile, these UK cities have the fewest:

• St Davids – 0 accessible public toilets per 10,000 people
• St Asaph – 0 accessible public toilets per 10,000 people
• Doncaster – 0 accessible public toilets per 10,000 people
• Lichfield – 0 accessible public toilets per 10,000 people
• Dundee – 0 accessible public toilets per 10,000 people
• Colchester – 0 accessible public toilets per 10,000 people
• Aberdeen – 0.04 accessible public toilets per 10,000 people
• Exeter – 0.08 accessible public toilets per 10,000 people
• Bradford – 0.10 accessible public toilets per 10,000 people
• Birmingham – 0.10 accessible public toilets per 10,000 people

Bad transport

In Wales, a third of older adults surveyed said they found it difficult to access public transport. Additionally, 22.9% of disabled people said it was difficult for them to use these transport options. This has been linked to the availability of bus routes between home and the high street, with the proximity of stops to their residence and particular shops and services also being a factor.

Those using private transport experience similar access issues. Despite 45% of people over state pension age having a disability, the government recommends only allocating 6% of parking to disabled people. Having an adequate number of accessible car parks available in central locations with dual height barriers or ticket machines in close vicinity can all improve older peoples’ confidence and increase visitor frequency.  According to analysis by Age UK, the cities that offer the most accessible parking locations per capita are:

• Ely – 5.92 accessible parking locations per 10,000 people
• Perth – 4.15 accessible parking locations per 10,000 people
• Wells – 3.80 accessible parking locations per 10,000 people
• Stirling – 3.74 accessible parking locations per 10,000 people
• Chichester – 2.99 accessible parking locations per 10,000 people
• Norwich – 2.94 accessible parking locations per 10,000 people
• Lisburn – 2.87 accessible parking locations per 10,000 people
• Brighton and Hove – 2.82 accessible parking locations per 10,000 people
• Salisbury – 2.73 accessible parking locations per 10,000 people
• Bath – 2.70 accessible parking locations per 10,000 people

Meanwhile, the cities falling behind are Armagh, Londonderry, Newry, Worcester, Salford, Sunderland, Bradford, Aberdeen, St Davids and St Asaph.

For those who aren’t Blue Badge holders, increasing parking charges are putting off high street visits. When we asked people to share their biggest challenges when visiting their local high street, almost a quarter (23%) mentioned expensive parking fees. And according to a survey commissioned by Direct Line, two-thirds of drivers are put off visiting their local high street for the same reason.

The impact on older people’s social lives and wellbeing

High street inaccessibility doesn’t just hold businesses back, but negatively impacts older adults and those with mobility impairments. Previously, high street visits would be a primary source of social interaction for these individuals. They’d also be their main route to key services like banking and healthcare. As such, high street accessibility issues are having a direct impact on people’s wellbeing.

Dr Elaine Douglas, Programme Manager at the University of Stirling’s Social, Behavioural & Design Research Programme (SBDRP), said in a press release: “Research underlines the immense potential for business to enhance the quality of life for older individuals. It’s about creating more inclusive and accessible environments that benefit everyone. 

“Shops, cafes and restaurants are powerful resources for our communities – places to gather, to socialise or just have a chat at the checkout, and employers of older people. So, catering better for older people is a community health matter, too.” 

Despite this and the potential economic benefits, there’s little discussion about improving the high street experience for older people or those with limited mobility. Some cities are already making progress. However, by making key infrastructure improvements, town and city centres could be made more safe and welcoming for everyone. This wouldn’t just boost the economy, but help protect peoples’ wellbeing, too.

As Verity Kick, Marketing Director for Oak Tree Mobility explains, “Having accessible high streets is essential to maintain the independence and wellbeing of older adults in the UK. With pressures on families, social care and the NHS increasing, committing to this investment wouldn’t just help over-60s live a happier, healthier life for longer, but generate more tax revenues through growing businesses. As such, we encourage the government and local councils to look again into the funding and accessibility plans for UK high streets."

She added: “Around a third of those we asked about their biggest challenges when visiting their local high street cited shop closures. This can have a profound impact on the elderly and those with disabilities, and not in a positive way. While the digital transformation of many services promises efficiency and cost savings for some, it presents a significant barrier for older adults who struggle with the learning curve of new technologies and the isolation that stems from diminished face-to-face interactions.

“Just as Age UK's poll revealed apprehensions about online banking, the same anxieties extend to navigating online shopping. The unease isn't solely about technology; it's about the loss of human connection. Whether it's a familiar bank clerk, a friendly shopkeeper, or a regular cafe visit, these interactions offer tailored assistance, a sense of security, and vital social engagement that digital platforms cannot replace.”