Independent shopkeepers say trade has fallen since Wilko closed

Minaz Amodxariaf said she's lost 45% of customers since Wilko closed

Uppingham Road in Leicester is like many other high streets in the country with charity shops and convenience stores, in among its independent shops.

However, now it has lost Wilko and its Lloyds bank is due to close in November.

And traders said the loss of the chain has had a knock on effect on their takings, which has come as a further blow after the turbulent times of the pandemic and a cost of living crisis.

Minaz Amodxariaf, owner of Crusty's Cafe, took over the business with her husband 18 months ago and said she needed to keep it running and profitable to support them and their three young daughters.

Uppingham Road in Leicester has lost Wilko and its only bank - Lloyds - is due to close next month

She says since Wilko's closure, she has noticed a drop in trade and she often closes early if business is quiet.

Mrs Amodxariaf added: "45% of people have stopped coming in. I'm worried about it, especially with the bank closing, it will definitely have an impact on my business, but what can I do?"

Paul Curtis said people's shopping habits have changed since Covid

Paul Curtis has run The Card Shop in Uppingham Road for the last 18 years.

He said that customers were "more savvy, they're spending less and they're looking for bargain".

Mr Curtis added: "Covid made a big big difference to footfall.

"People's shopping habits changed and they got used to shopping at home or going to one supermarket and buying things and not looking around the shops.

"They used to come down and wander round the shops and go back with a bag full."

He said: "Footfall has also dropped quite dramatically since Wilko has closed."

Alka Devshi wants more shops to open in the area

Alka Devshi, owner of Total Pet Foods, said she had hoped to run the shop with her husband.

But it does not make good money, she explains, so he works in London three days a week.

She says it is tough at the moment and has to really think about what she is ordering to make sure she can definitely sell it that month.

"It used to be that all the senior and middle aged came in but now mostly they are going online", she added.

She says she wants more shops to open in the area.

Mrs Devshi added: "If there's not any good shops here, people won't come to this area."

Jean Handscomb said things have changed over the years, like the Post Office

Shoppers have also noticed the changing face of the high street.

Shopper Jean Handscomb said: "As I've got older, I think I shop more locally than I did, but I still go to the big supermarkets.

"I've noticed that things have changed. The Post Office now does far more things than I expected - bank services, so that's a good thing."

David Newman has been shopping on Uppingham Road for the last 50 years, though he now does around 50% of his weekly shopping online.

He said: "The area is still pretty good, it covers peoples basic needs."