In a world increasingly dominated by online retailers and one-click purchases, there's been a large amount of press and publicity about the high street being "dead", a relic or not fit for modern living. But look a little closer, and you'll see it's still very much alive and we think its more important than ever. Whether it's your local country clothing boutique (us)!, local butcher, bookshop or café, the high street offers unique advantages that go far beyond mere convenience.
Here's our top 5 reasons why we think High Streets are brilliant:
1. Supporting Local Economies
When you shop on the high street, your money stays local. Independent businesses are more likely to use other local services – from accountants and printers to food suppliers – which means your purchase has a knock-on effect that supports the wider community. According to some studies, for every £1 spent with a small or medium-sized business, 63p stays in the local economy, compared to just 40p with a larger firm.
2. Human Connection
There’s something uniquely comforting about being greeted by name when you walk into a shop. The high street offers a level of personal service that’s almost impossible to replicate online. We love seeing our regular customers in-store, and often wonder where they are and if they're OK if we haven't seen them for a while. When you're a regular customer, we know the brands that you like, the size that best fits you, and the colours that suit your complexion, you just don't get that in an online store.
3. A More Sustainable Choice
Shopping locally often means a smaller carbon footprint. You're not relying on vans to drop off a single parcel at your door. We love stocking local suppliers for our gifts range in particular.
We pride ourselves on stocking brands with strong and genuine sustainable credentials, we want your clothes to last and for you to wear them again and again, not just once.
4. Diversity & Character
Unlike identikit shopping centres or faceless online retailers, high streets reflect the character of the area they serve. Alnwick has historic fashion boutiques such as ours, an excellent award winning butcher in Turnbulls, and the Accidental Bookshop, a great indie bookstore.
A high proportion of the shops in Alnwick are independently owned. They contribute to a town’s identity, creating a sense of place and pride. Without them, our towns and cities risk becoming soulless and generic.
5. Instant Gratification (the Good Kind)
Need a last-minute gift or a proper fitting pair of shoes? The high street delivers instantly, without the uncertainty of delivery times or return processes. Plus, there’s the joy of discovering something unexpected that you wouldn't have thought to search for online.
6. Excellent Customers Service (Jobsons of Alnwick's Speciality)
We pride ourselves on excellent customer service here at Jobsons of Alnwick. When trying on our clothes and footwear ranges, we'll never encourage you to buy something that doesn't fit or suit you. We're honest, as whilst we want to make a sale, if you buy something from us that's unsuitable, you'll likely return it later and not shop with us again. You just can't get that level of service with an online retailer.
The UK high street isn't just a great place to shop - it's a place to live, connect and thrive. While digital convenience has its place, it's worth remembering what we stand to lose if we abandon our local retailers. So next time you're tempted to click "Add to Basket," consider a stroll down your local high street instead. You might be surprised by what you find.
Or go one step further and visit Alnwick high street, or more specifically Jobsons of Alnwick, we'd love to see you
Much Love
Rachel and the Jobsons team
xx