'Plymouth needs more independent shops'

PLYMOUTH is ‘crying out’ for more independent shops to open in the city. New research from VistaPrint reveals that almost one in four (23 per cent) of people based in Plymouth visit their local high street almost daily.

- By ANNETTE BELCHER

Over a quarter (28 per cent) say that their local high street is busier than it was a year ago, with almost half (48 per cent) of local residents seeing the town benefit from new openings in the past 12 months.

Two in five (40 per cent) of people in Plymouth feel proud of their local high street and the majority (92 per cent) are calling out for more new independent shops to open on its high street - more than anywhere else in the UK. This is due to the impact they have on job creation (50%) improving a sense of community (42 per cent) and the appearance of town centres (40 per cent).