Across the UK, high streets and shopping streets are under pressure. Online giants like Amazon and Tesco have changed buying habits, and rising costs have squeezed margins for small independents. In many towns, once-busy shopping streets are now dotted with shuttered units and boarded-up windows.
Here in Lynton & Lynmouth, our shops and shopping streets look and feel very different from those in the cities — but that doesn’t mean we’re immune. The national challenges still affect us, they just show up in ways unique to our two towns.
The National Picture
Across the UK, retailers face long-term structural change:
Online Shopping
Amazon, Tesco and other big players have absorbed everyday spending, from groceries to clothes and electronics.
Out-of-town Retail Parks
Convenience and free parking pull trade away from traditional streets.
Experiences over Possessions
People spend more on eating out, short breaks, and activities, less on physical goods.
Economic Pressures
Rising energy bills, supply costs, cost of employment, and the impact of the VAT threshold leave little room for error.
Workforce Shortages
Shops and especially hospitality outlets struggle to recruit and retain staff.
Visitors notice empty windows. A row of shutters or “Closed” signs makes a street feel lifeless, even when good shops are open nearby.
The Lynton & Lynmouth Reality
Our situation is different, but the pressures are very real:
Independent Strength, Fragile Base
Nearly every retailer in L&L is an independent. This is our selling point — we’re not a clone town — but it also means each shop is vulnerable. Many benefit from Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR), which helps, but it doesn’t cover staff shortages, high energy bills, or seasonal cashflow.
Two towns, Scattered Streets
Unlike other destinations, our shops are spread between Lynton and Lynmouth, and tucked into side streets. It’s charming — but if just a handful close, whole stretches can look deserted.
Seasonality and Uncertainty
Shoulder months are difficult. A quiet August or a wet Easter makes a difference not just for the cafés but for every shop. A strong season can lift everyone, but a weak one leaves gaps that are hard to recover from.
Workforce Challenges
Perhaps our biggest barrier is staffing. There are fewer young people wanting seasonal jobs, the local talent pool is limited, and there’s not enough affordable or rentable accommodation for workers to base themselves here. Seasonal peaks and troughs make it harder to offer year-round employment, which only worsens the cycle.
Access and Expectations
Retail is closely tied to convenience. Car parking charges here can feel prohibitive, and EV drivers face limited charging options. Paying to pee, if they can find a toilet that's open, and then .. is it clean? If shoppers feel it’s too much hassle, they may cut their browsing short, and may decide to not come back.
Visitors browse more if shops look alive and welcoming. They’ll happily buy gifts, keepsakes, or treats — but only if the offer feels unique and open when they arrive.
Why It Matters
We are, in many respects, doing quite well. Some say Lynton is faring better than Lynmouth. Lynton increasingly feels like an all-year-round destination because most businesses remain open, creating a strong sense of community. That attracts locals and gives visitors a more authentic experience.
By contrast, a larger proportion of Lynmouth businesses close through the shoulder months. The result is less variety and a sense of desolation in quieter times. This hasn’t happened suddenly — it’s been a slow shift over many years. Lynmouth still has vibrancy and uniqueness, but it needs active effort to re-germinate its retail offer and harbour-side buzz.
Visitors remember the whole picture. A brilliant walk, a coffee stop, and a few quirky shops together create a “must return” memory. But if the shops are closed, the day feels incomplete.
Next Steps
In the supplement to this blog, we’ll share a Destination Vision: practical steps for the next two years, and a longer view over 5–10 years.
Alongside this, we’ve created a ticklist of ideas and actions that retailers can use straight away to keep our towns vibrant and visible.
Together, Better – Not Busier
The future of our shopping streets depends on all of us. The more we act as one, the stronger our destination becomes.
No one else is going to promote our towns.
Ready to Join Us?
By becoming a member of Visit Lynton & Lynmouth, you’re not only supporting your own business but helping to grow the bigger PIE that makes our destination thrive.
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