The growing city that lost 62 shops in two years

Debenhams, GAME and Topshop branches in Chelmsford have all closed since 2020

The ever-changing commuter belt city of Chelmsford - the county town of Essex - has experienced one of the country's most severe declines in its number of shops.

Total retail units have decreased from 822 to 760, which at -7.5%, represented the eighth largest percentage decline of any UK district.

The Ordnance Survey research, which compared the net change between the first quarters of 2020 and 2022, also showed a 13.1% increase in cafes, snack bars and tearooms in Chelmsford.

The media regulator Ofcom previously reported a 48% increase in online shopping sales during the pandemic.

James Shilingis, who runs a small business, said he wanted to see more independent shops in the city centre

Chelmsford, which pedestrianised its High Street in the 1990s, was given city status in 2012.

The long-awaited Bond Street development, anchored by a three-storey John Lewis outlet, opened in 2016.

'So expensive'

James Shilingis, speaking to the BBC in Bond Street, said the city looked more "empty" following the closure of Debenhams, Topshop and Game stores.

"There's loads of big retail units around but there's not really anything in the town centre for smaller local businesses to come and promote themselves," said the 36-year-old, who runs a cosmetics businesses out of a unit in nearby Great Baddow.

"I think a lot of that is the rents and rates.

"It's so expensive to have a retail premises now that people stop bothering and are sticking to online because there are much fewer overheads."

Dani Cooper, a hairdresser, said it was difficult finding the right item of clothing at some of the chains in the city centre

The long-awaited Bond Street development in Chelmsford was opened in 2016

Hairdresser Danni Cooper, 26, said she was struggling to find Christmas presents in the city centre because shops were out of stock.

"A few more independent stores would be nice," she said.

Myra Heuer, 80, who has lived in Chelmsford for 40 years, said the city lacked charity shops and "little dress shops" but added: "I can say nothing but good about how it's changed.

"There are some empty shops but I think it's lovely - we have cafes, we have coffee bars and we have restaurants."

Myra Heuer, 80, who has lived in Chelmsford for 40 years, has mostly welcomed the changes to the city's retail offer

Pauline Stevens said it made more sense to have a coffee at home, rather than pay cafe prices

Pauline Stevens, 76, said she only used the city centre to pay her bills via a High Street bank, but said: "We need the shops, people need different stuff don't they?

"They can have their coffee at home for the prices they charge here."

John Salmon, 82, a former design engineer from Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, said: "I think it has lost a bit of character and it misses Debenhams, because it was a focal point of the town, but beyond that, it's OK.

John Salmon said Chelmsford High Street, which was pedestrianised along with part of Moulsham Street in the 1990s, was a "comfy place" to walk around

The OS research also showed the CM2 postcode, which includes Moulsham Street - traditionally prided for its independents - had 18 more eating and drinking units, but 34 fewer retail shops.

It also showed a 6.5% increase in hair and beauty shops across the district, from 215 to 229.

Sara Tupper, manager at the Chelmsford Business Improvement District (BID), said: "We would love there to be a massive retail offering in the city centre, but as we move into the digital age, where online is so convenient, I think businesses are embracing both the physical and online presence."

She pointed out that the Chelmsford BID arranged its Concrete Canvas street art festival, Green City family events and a Monster Invasion all this summer - the latter of which she said increased city centre footfall by 20% the week it launched.

Marie Goldman said she welcomed the new social and dining offerings in Chelmsford city centre, following the isolation experienced during the Covid-19 lockdowns

Chelmsford City Council's Liberal Democrat deputy leader, Marie Goldman, said the "evolution" of the High Street was accelerated by the pandemic.

"High Streets will survive and I think they will actually thrive as well," she said.

"I think it's about creating a place for shared experience - things that you can only do [with other people] in person."