Get offline and head out to save Britain's high streets

YOUR CONSUMER RIGHTS CHAMPION

- MARTYN JAMES

Have you visited your local town centre lately? If you haven't then why not make 2026 the year you spend some of your cash in your community rather than online?

I spend a lot of time travelling the length and breadth of the UK when I'm filming television programmes and the one thing people always mention is how much they wish their high streets were revitalised.

I couldn't agree more... but we all need to play a part if we want to breathe life back into our home towns and villages. The irony is, it’s not that hard to bring the high street back to life. Here are the things I'm campaigning for in 2026 - and some tips on how you can get involved too.

MAKE ONLINE BUSINESSES PAY

I've had it with online retailers. They helped kill off many of our most-loved high street brands because they didn't have to pay business rates, staff, utilities bills or maintenance. And what did we get in return?