{"id":49735,"date":"2026-04-07T16:53:25","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T16:53:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/?post_type=knowledge&p=49735"},"modified":"2026-04-28T13:27:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T13:27:30","slug":"small-businesses-must-adapt-to-change-on-the-high-street","status":"publish","type":"knowledge","link":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/retail\/small-businesses-must-adapt-to-change-on-the-high-street\/","title":{"rendered":"Small businesses must adapt to change on the high street \u2013 here\u2019s how"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The UK high street is evolving as independent businesses adapt to new business rates relief brought in by the government on 1 April, rising costs, and artificial intelligence (AI) adoption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than being a \u201cdo or die\u201d moment it can be seen by many small businesses as an opportunity to adopt leaner, more flexible cost structures and pivot to niche demand. For example, offering specialist or premium products and filling in the gaps left by big UK high street chains, and that\u2019s just the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research from Simply Business found that some high street shops as we know them could disappear forever<\/a> if they continue closing at current rates. From shoe shops to pubs, the declining high street should be a wake up call for independent businesses to adapt. But why is this happening and what can be done?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time to start \u2018future-proofing\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There has been a dramatic change in consumer shopping habits intensified by the Covid pandemic five years ago, resulting in more consumers doing their shopping online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC)<\/a>, online sales currently account for 28.3% of retail sales (as of December 2025). But reports have suggested this could reach 50% by 2028<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is surely a red alert for independent businesses to start future proofing their UK high street offering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Build community hubs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One way of doing this would be to act less like retailers and more like community hubs, building events, collaborations, and loyalty schemes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pubs and bars could also benefit from becoming more community focused and adapting to changing consumer habits. There\u2019s a growing trend for people to combine socialising with saunas or exercise with experiences \u2013 and it’s a community that people are looking for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to UK Active, a trade body that represents most of Britain\u2019s fitness operators, young adults prefer to go to the gym rather than the pub. The data shows 11.5 million people aged 16 and over now belong to a gym in the UK<\/a>, a rise of 1.6 million from 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Failure to address the needs of the local community might lead to pubs and bars facing extinction by 2041, according to the analysis from Simply Business and data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From providing space for families and pets to ethically sourced food and drink, people are looking for pubs that align with their lifestyle rather than counter it.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And with groups like the Mikkeller Running Club Brighton<\/a> that tours independent pubs for a post-run pint and fitness venues that team up with local caf\u00e9s to offer discounts, the possibility for community opens up.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

AI adoption<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Small businesses on the UK high street could evolve by using AI for marketing<\/a>, stock management<\/a>, and customer insights, automating administration to cut costs and personalising customer experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s also the use of employing social media as part of digital-first strategy, physical second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent clothing shops can consider livestreaming events, for instance a fashion show or creating a virtual shop window for remote customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n