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With the seemingly never-ending rise of online shopping, and the cost of living crisis making things even harder, Commercial Road and other high streets in the Portsmouth area are considered less attractive places to visit than they once were.
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Smaller places with lower footfall, including Gosport, Fareham, Havant and Waterlooville, are also feeling the pinch. Efforts are being made to make improvements.
Gosport High Street is receiving regeneration funding this year. Regeneration plans for the centres of Havant and Waterlooville have also been lined up.
Even with these plans being put in place, questions remain as to whether these high streets can become more attractive places to visit. We asked our readers for their opinions.
5. Havant and Waterlooville High Streets
Lisa June Cochrane said: “For those of us that live outside of the city (Havant/Waterlooville) we need entertainment…cinema, Bowling alley etc. there’s literally nothing to do without travelling into the city!!! Photo: Habibur Rahman
6. Gosport High Street
Anne Frost said: "Gosport high street needs to have a different offer to encourage people to stay rather than going across to Gunwharf. Independent shops with a village feel would set it apart and make it a destination. It needs to be a coordinated strategy from the council to make it work.” Photo: Ian Hargreaves (291219-5)
7. Gosport High Street
Lisa Mullender added: “For Gosport, lower the cost of rents on the shop units to encourage businesses to open and make it easier for businesses starting up. Free parking for two hours.” Photo: Ian Hargreaves (291219-11)
8. Gosport High Street
Marie Mandeville said: “For Gosport, reduce rent for shop owners and try and start bringing life back to gosport instead of all the coffee shops, charity shops, corner type shops that they have. Bring back family butchers, veg shop and a proper decent market as its non existing and reduce their pitch fees as well as free parking and not for an hour.” Photo: Ian Hargreaves (291219-12)