Saving Money When The High Street Is Closing

It’s been a topic of discussion in Swindon for a while now, the high street is dying, and every day we’re seeing more and more boarded-up shops. The pandemic has hit the area hard too, we’re still on the government watchlist, and no one is sure whether they’re coming or going.

Swindon used to have a great shopping culture, from the Outlet shops at McArthur Glenn to the vibrant town centre with all of the shops you’d expect and then some, but it seems that in recent years the shops are closing, and Swindon is becoming a ghost town, filled with charity shops and coffee shops, so how can we still get the great brands we love without needing to go to the high street?

Switch To Online

We’ve seen a huge change in shopping habits in the last few months thanks to the COVID pandemic, and more and more people are switching to shopping online. While this isn’t great news for the high street, it’s actually great news for shoppers as their favourite stores are still available, and the deals are still there!

Many retailers who were unable to operate when the pandemic was at it’s most deadly decided to switch focus to online shopping. This has meant new audiences for all kinds of shops, as well as more shoppers being able to shop and not worry about how they will get their large and bulky items home.

Discounts and Coupons

If you’re still mourning the loss of Argos in the town centre and John Lewis at the Outlet centre, then you’ll be pleased to know both operate great online options, with delivery all over Swindon. There are also lots of John Lewis discount codes available online, so you’ll never be paying full-price for your shopping ever again.

Pop Up Shops

Swindon has a great tradition of pop up shopping. This style of shopping has really been saving the high street and giving shoppers more options, especially around Christmas time when budgets are tight, but presents are a must!

Check out the Christmas shops in town, or the German-style markets around the Outlet centre, these pop up retail outlets usually have some really great deals on as well as providing you with some fantastically unique gifts to share with your family and friends.

Artisan Stores

Swindon has a great tradition of hosting artisan shops and stores. Quietly nestled on the edge of the West Country, we host the yearly Swindon Open Studios, a chance for many to meet the artists and creators who are dotted across Swindon, and there have been moves in recent years to give artists and creators more places to display their work.

From pups to pop up shops, independent cafes and coffee shops, artists and artisans across Swindon have been filling up the walls and shelves of all kinds of shops. While their products may be more expensive than an off the shelf product, you know it’s unique and supporting another Swindonian.