Residents in Wigan believe that the cost of living crisis has helped steepen the level of decline in the town centre. Shops leaving the high street is nothing new for small towns across the country, and Wigan is no exception losing a Next and a H&M in the town centre already this year.
Inflation is 9.1 per cent higher than last year and is expected to peak at 11 per cent in October, according to ONS figures, and wage rises are not matching this increase - leading to less people having extra funds at the end of the month. Some residents in the borough believe that the higher costs have resulted in less people having money for extras and luxuries such as going out or shopping for clothes - which is causing a decline in the town centre.
Wigan Council are looking to tackle the problem on the high street with their £130 million investment into the Galleries - which they hope will see the area become more enticing.
