From speaking to local businesses and residents, I know that everyone holds Bridgnorth high street in the highest regard. However, increased costs and reduced footfall has hit the town. To support the revival of our high streets, I launched my shop local survey. I wanted to know both what is great about Bridgnorth high street but also what the barriers are that hold back businesses and residents from making the most of the town. Here are the preliminary results from this stage of my campaign:
HEADLINE RESULTS:
(Full Analysis Underway)
1,222 responses were received to my 'Shop Local: Bridgnorth' survey between 12th May 2025 and 4th July 2025. This included over 1100 residents and nearly 100 businesses.
- Encouragingly, 7 out of 10 respondents visit Bridgnorth high street on a weekly basis. For most people (60%), this has "stayed the same" over the last year. However, this has "decreased" for over 250 respondents.
- Almost half (46 out of 95) businesses say their confidence has decreased over the last year in the current climate.
- Parking is the biggest factor that discourages people from visiting Bridgnorth high street, with 8 out of 10 selecting this option.
RESIDENTS:
On average, residents visit Bridgnorth high street at least on a weekly basis - with 755 out of 1,118 residents selecting this option. 275 residents sometimes visit Bridgnorth high street, meaning two or three times a month. Only 5 residents never visit Bridgnorth high street.
Most residents reported that this frequency has "stayed the same" over the last year, with 733 of 1,111 residents selecting this option. Notably, 255 residents said the frequency has "decreased", while 123 said it has increased over the last year.
Most residents visit Bridgnorth high street for food and drink, with 918 out of 1,115 residents selecting this option. In second place was visiting for groceries, with 121 residents selecting this option.
The biggest factor that encourages residents to visit Bridgnorth's high street is parking, with 428 out of 1,101 residents selecting this option. The second most popular factor was accessibility and distance, with 347 residents selecting this option.
The biggest factor that discourages people from visiting Bridgnorth's high street is parking, with 824 out of 1,075 residents selecting this option. In second place was a lack of a range of goods and services, with 100 residents selecting this option.
BUSINESSES:
73 respondents said they were both residents and local business owners.
Most (55) said that they visit Bridgnorth high street on a weekly basis, followed by 14 reporting that they only sometimes visit. Most (42 out of 53) have said this has "stayed the same". Most (48 out of 54) visit the high street for food and drink.
Most businesses (62 out of 96) feel moderately optimistic about their business in the current climate.
The biggest factor affecting their business is energy prices and supply chain costs.
Following the residents, businesses felt that parking was the most important factor that both encourages and discourages people coming to the high street. 77 out of 96 businesses said that parking discouraged high street shopping.
CONCLUSION:
These findings will shape my plan, as I work with Shropshire Council and Government Ministers to ensure Bridgnorth thrive in the years ahead. I know that everyone wants to see our towns thrive thrive, so I am working hard to ensure that the right plans are in place. For this campaign, I was delighted to partner in this campaign with Sally Themans of Love Bridgnorth.
I will be seeking the views of residents across the rest of South Shropshire before sharing my findings with the local Council and Ministers.
Sally said:
“Our high streets are the heartbeat of our towns – places where we connect, support local jobs, and build community. At Love Bridgnorth, we believe that thriving high streets don’t just happen – they rely on all of us choosing to shop local, attend local events, and champion the independent businesses that make our town unique. When we support our high street, we’re investing in the future of our community.”
