A cost of living crisis combined with the rise of online shopping, and a multitude of other issues, has seen retail stores struggle in recent years. However, they say history repeats itself, so who is to say we will not go back to a time when shopping in your local high street becomes the norm again.
We asked our readers what shops they would like to open in Portsmouth in 2025 and received a fantastic response. While some of the suggestion were calling for a return of stores long gone, there were lots of new stores on the list that have not had a presence in the city before.
There was also a call for new independent shops to open which deserves recognition but whose hypothetical existence is difficult to include in this list.
Without further ado, here are 29 shops that you would like to see open in Portsmouth this year:
9. Zara
The fashion shop was another popular choice with readers hoping it will open in Portsmouth this year. Photo: Zara
10. John Lewis
With the old Knight & Lee building still remaining vacant, many shoppers would like to see a return of John Lewis to the city. Photo: Asadour Guzelian
11. Mango
The Spanish fashion company sells a range of clothes for men and women and has stores across the world. Many are hoping for Portsmouth to be added to that list. Photo: Google
12. Hollister
Some of our readers want Hollister to open one of its dimly-lit fragrant stores to open in the city. Currently the nearest one is in West Quay. Photo: Dough4872/WikiMedia Commons (labelled for reuse)