Scotland’s high streets in crisis: 9 pictures showing the decline of town centres

It’s no secret the high street is suffering. From cities to small towns, Scotland’s urban centres have been rocked by waves of store closures and a rise in long-term vacant units.
WOOLWORTHS GALASHIELS CLOSURE ,   WOOLWORTHS IN GALASHIELS CLOSES TODAY.   PHOTO  PHIL WILKINSON  / TSPL   
People shoppingWOOLWORTHS GALASHIELS CLOSURE ,   WOOLWORTHS IN GALASHIELS CLOSES TODAY.   PHOTO  PHIL WILKINSON  / TSPL   
People shopping
WOOLWORTHS GALASHIELS CLOSURE , WOOLWORTHS IN GALASHIELS CLOSES TODAY. PHOTO PHIL WILKINSON / TSPL People shopping

Some of the biggest names in retail have vanished and banks are no longer a fixture of every shopping centre. Politicians and business leaders appear powerless to prevent the changes brought about by changing lifestyles and the rise in online shopping. In 2017, Scotland recorded the biggest reduction in the number of occupied high street units of anywhere in the UK.

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