Shoppers brand closure of South Shields' TUI store a 'reflection of the times' as community turns away from high street
Gazette readers have blamed the decline of the local high street on the rise of internet shopping and a sign of the times.
Their comments follow the closure of travel giant TUI’s branch on King Street in South Shields this week.
The company issued a statement to the Gazette which confirmed that the shop shut on Wednesday, December 18.
Most Popular
-
1
Where is the cheapest petrol in South Tyneside? Eight stations to fill up at across the borough on August 16
-
2
Forex: How some UK companies use blockchain for trading
-
3
Jet2 unveils new winter sun flights from Newcastle Airport - where you can go and how to book
-
4
The Sea Hotel in South Shields on the market for £1.65million as estate agents seek new buyer after business goes into administration
-
5
Organisers gear up for FEAST street food festival at South Shields Market - Armenian, Greek, Caribbean and German dishes will be on offer at inaugural event
Shoppers shared their views on the closure on our Facebook page, with many calling on fellow customers to shop locally to keep businesses on the high street.
Others hailed the rise in buying online as one of the main factors in shop closures
This is what you said on the Shields Gazette Facebook page:
Julie Summerson: “We need decent shops to bring people back to South Shields. Sunderland and Newcastle are busy too. I know online shopping doesn’t help - but there is nothing left in Shields to make us go there!”
Richard Finlay: “Need to reduce the rate to encourage shops to come into the town.”
Linda Wood: “Shops rely on footfall for business and there’s none in Shields.”
Jacquie Rose: “If folk stop shopping online these places would not close. Only yourselves to blame.”
Wayne Nellist: “Internet killing the shops off. All we have soon is supermarkets.”
Sharon Hogg: “Every time people shop online, buy holidays, use self-service tills it has an impact. Newcastle and Sunderland are cities so have more pulling power than a town.”
Ted Nichol: “Another one bites the dust.”
Tom Quantrill: “High street’s dead man. This isn’t sad, it’s just a sign of the times, move to the internet and embrace it.”
Paul Boyle: “Closed not only because people are using the internet to book holidays but also because of the high rents demanded by the shop owners of King Street.”
Kristan Carman: “Another nail in King Street’s coffin!”
Mark Bolam: “The only reason to go to South Shields is the lovely seafront, the town centre died years ago.”
Garry McKenna: “A national trend, reflection of the times.”