Savills data shows 17% of shopping centre units vacant as online shopping grows
Savills says 17% of shopping centre units are vacant on average, with online shopping shifting retail demand and smaller town centres struggling while larger destinations thrive.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
New figures from estate agency Savills show that 17% of units across shopping centres are lying vacant on average, as more people choose to shop online. The data adds to evidence that shopping centres are in decline, though the picture is uneven.
Shopping centres were once a major American export to the UK. The name mall did not catch on, but the model did. Meadowhall in South Yorkshire offered a one-stop shop, free parking and a roof to escape British rain. From the start, these centres were seen as a threat to high streets. One contributor suggested retailers may find it quieter without an atmosphere, and said Meadowhall was the main destination for much of Rotherham.
Big centres continue to thrive. Greater Manchester's Trafford Centre has hit full occupancy. But for medium town centre sites, the choice is diversify or disappear. Croydon's Brutalist Whitgift has hosted a pop star for a music video. In Northampton, retailers have checked out and community and theatre groups have set up shop instead. A local group said the bus station is right downstairs, making access easy for young people, and that people walking past the studio want to come in and ask what it is.
The market is splitting by size. Enormous spaces draw people from miles around. That leaves corridors of smaller towns and high streets falling away, because big retailers are moving to large shopping centres where stores are bigger, easier to manage and attract more shoppers. Those retailers are closing smaller stores nearby.
As consumers choose clicks over pounding the pavements, familiar names may continue to disappear from physical shopping spaces. Retailers hope the desire to see and spend in person evolves rather than dies.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, grouped by how many channels reported each one. Select a dot to see the source excerpt.
| Claim |  |
|---|---|
| Only on one channel | |
| In Northampton, retailers have left and community and theatre groups are moving into vacant units. | |
| Savills reported an average 17% vacancy rate across shopping centre units, attributed to more people shopping online. | |
| The Trafford Centre in Greater Manchester has full occupancy, while medium-sized town centre sites face pressure to diversify or disappear. | |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
This bulletin framed the Savills vacancy figure as fresh evidence of decline in shopping centres. Its focus was on the divide between large centres that still thrive and medium town centres that must diversify, with examples from Meadowhall, Trafford Centre, Croydon and Northampton. The tone was explanatory and business-focused, with no political blame.
- “Hello again. There is new evidence that shopping centres are in decline.”
- “The estate agency Savills says, on average, 17% of units across shopping centres are lying vacant as more people choose to shop online.”
- “Greater Manchester's Trafford Centre has hit full occupancy, but for medium town centre sites, it's a case of diversify or disappear.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.