http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19679104

I'm not so sure, having to go into town is WHY I get everything delivered to my house - I really can't be doing with nosey crowds of fcukwits shuffling about, or staff almost harassing me. And that's before they mess up your order at the till creating embarrassment for all concerned... I'm not sure I'd miss the high street that much at all

As most probably know, I live in Birmingham. Travelling to the city centre is something I try to avoid - to the point where I cannot recall when I last went.

I usually know what I want and the main reason for going into town these days is if there's something I want/need that cannot be fulfilled by visiting the three large supermarkets nearby or via the Internet.

I hate crowds and queues. Hence, if I must go, I'm usually there between 9-11am. I may stop for lunch if with friends or family, but otherwise I usually grab something to eat at home. The main reason to go in is for clothes shopping as it is impossible to work out what's suitable unless you try it on in person.

I still drive to/from there because it's cheaper and quicker than busfare these days.

I like town centre shopping, just not on weekends.
Buying things like clothes online sucks. Having said that I can't remember the last time I bought a book/CD/DVD in a shop.

I like going into town. I’m at home all week, and the walk through the park into town, maybe pick up something and bringing it back is good.

The Squeezed Middle and Squashed Bottom exist all over the country but as these two groups are squeezed ever more by the coalition expect the more Poundlands. Overall though shop rents could be lower, it would make them more competitive with online retailers. Shops have one big advantage over online retailers you can save on postage costs and can return things just as easily. Though shops should try and match online retailers if they can.

I quite like wandering and window shopping but most town centres these days are horribly generic - all the same shops, all the Starbucks and etc. It's dull. The best way to get shoppers back IMO is to give your town centre some character and make it a pleasant place to be, not the same place as 50 others and utterly bereft of soul.

I enjoy shopping in Hereford, lots of small lanes, alleys and squares. Plenty of independent shops interspersed between the usual High Street names.

Now they want to build a generic shopping centre with multiplex cinema.

I only go into my town to visit the barbers shop - simple reason is because the town is a s**t hole.

You should check out the Victoria Centre in Belfast re. soulless - any time I've went by it the staff are at the door waiting for customers! Actually maybe they just want someone to talk to, it's like fcuking limbo in there

Most shopping centres are clones of each other with the same chains in every single one.

You couldn't even really call this a centre, closer to a stupidly expensive cul-de-sac

Hmm, I buy about 0,1% of my goods online...

I am probably the complete opposite. About 90% of mine are bought online, including food.

Most of my clothes nowadays are 2nd hand or vintage and would be really hard to find online so I'm not that bothered with high street shops though I shop in town.

I couldn't do food shopping online. I like to pick the best meat and veg etc. Plus if you go to the back of the shelf you can find items with a later expiry date.
I know someone who used to do food etc online. He stopped as he got fed up of stupid substitutions.