As The High Street Continues To Struggle As A Result Of Covid-19, Here’s How You Can Help Save Our Shops

Nominate your favourite independent UK high street store and and we'll be picking some to highlight online and in print.

Grazia Save Our Shops

by Natalie Hammond |
Published on

As the heart of its community, the high street is an institution in its own right in the UK. It’s the place where you meet friends for morning coffee, pick up newspapers from the corner shop, find gems in the charity shop and generally potter around on Saturdays. But the pandemic has put a stop to a lot of those daily meanderings - and, what’s worse, has had a devastating effect on shop owners and retail workers.

Lockdown might be easing, but the high street is still suffering from the effects of the pandemic. According to The Guardian, 17,500 chain store outlets disappeared from the high street last year. The newspaper also reported data from the Local Data Company (LDC), a research provider working for PwC, with the stark finding that an average of 48 shops, restaurants and other hospitality venues closed permanently every day across England, Wales and Scotland.

And the fallout is that women that have been hit the hardest, according to research from the University of Cambridge, which says that more women are likely to have experienced job loss and wage drops since the pandemic took hold in comparison to men.

So in preparation for non-essential shops reopening on 12 April, if the roadmap goes to plan, we’re doing everything we can to support local shops. We're launching our very own campaign, Save Our Shops, and we want your help to make this happen.

All you have to do is tag your favourite independent high street shop underneath our post on Instagram, and we’ll be spotlighting the results online and in next month’s high street issue. Ready, set, tag!

Gallery

SHOP: The Best High Street Wedding Dresses UK

Self-Portrait, Ivory Corded Lace Voluminous Skirt Midi Dress, £4201 of 27

Self-Portrait, Ivory Corded Lace Voluminous Skirt Midi Dress, £420

It's all about the detail on this dress from the lace peplum over lay to the diamanté trim.

Monsoon, Vera Bridal Catin Cape Maxi Dress Ivory, £2992 of 27

Monsoon, Vera Bridal Catin Cape Maxi Dress Ivory, £299

A cap makes an excellent addition to your wedding day dress, go on, float about that venue.

best high street wedding dresses Reformation, Lark Bridal Shrug, £803 of 27

Reformation, Lark Bridal Shrug, £80

An ideal addition to and sleeveless gown or top, for those who want a little extra arm coverage, changing up their wedding day outfit or are simply a little chilly.

best high street wedding dresses Reformation, Ivory Flowing Faye Pant, £1804 of 27

Reformation, Ivory Silk Cider Top, £150

A pure silk crop top with spaghetti straps, fancy something other than an ivory gown? A two piece is the chicest Bridal outfit out there.

best high street wedding dresses Reformation, Ivory Silk Cider Top, £1505 of 27

Reformation, Ivory Flowing Faye Pant, £180

Something you'll be able to wear time and time again, a classic wide leg cut is seriously flattering, too.

best high street wedding dresses Self-Portrait, Ivory Blossom Sequin Tiered Midi Dress, £3806 of 27

Self-Portrait, Ivory Blossom Sequin Tiered Midi Dress, £380

The trademark cut out lace of Self-Portrait makes an ideal bridal outfit.

best high street wedding dresses7 of 27

Y.A.S Bridal, One Shoulder Tiered Wedding Dress, £150

Tulle tiers and a one shoulder style are an instant update.

best high street wedding dresses Whistles, Esther Bardot Ivory Wedding Dress, £4998 of 27

Whistles, Esther Bardot Ivory Wedding Dress, £499

A Bardot neckline could potentially be the most flattering out there.

best high street wedding dresses Ghost, Laurel Dress, £4959 of 27

Ghost, Laurel Dress, £495

The vintage feel of this dress makes it feel like one-of-a-kind.

best high street wedding dresses Hope & Ivy Plus, Plunge Embroidered Ivory Maxi Dress, £15010 of 27

Hope & Ivy Plus, Plunge Embroidered Ivory Maxi Dress, £112.50

A deep plunging neckline and embroidery give a relaxed boho feel.

best high street wedding dresses Vila Bridal, Maxi Dress With Covered Buttons, £6511 of 27

Vila Bridal, Maxi Dress With Covered Buttons, £52

An easy breezy style that would look just as good at a beach wedding as it would a town hall ceremony.

best high street wedding dresses Self-Portrait, Metallic Bouclu00e9 Tailored Mini Dress, £40012 of 27

Self-Portrait, Metallic Bouclé Tailored Mini Dress, £400

A tux style mini makes the ultimate cool-girl alternative to a wedding gown.

best high street wedding dresses Rixo, Silk Shift Dress With Feathers, £65013 of 27

Rixo, Silk Shift Dress With Feathers, £650

Rixo's debut bridal line has been a roaring success – and it's not hard to see why. This feather-trimmed style would be perfect for a registry office wedding.

best high street wedding dresses Sir, Pleated Cotton and Linen Blend Dress, £36014 of 27

Sir, Pleated Cotton and Linen Blend Dress, £360

Super simple, super chic; the fashionista wedding dress.

best high street wedding dresses Monsoon, Laurie Lace and Tulle Bardot Bridal Dress, £35915 of 27

Monsoon, Laurie Lace and Tulle Bardot Bridal Dress, £359

This dress is as demure as it is pretty and you could even shorten it after the wedding so you can wear it again.

best high street wedding dresses best high street wedding dresses House Of CB, Delphine Ivory Draped Corset Gown, £64916 of 27

House Of CB, Delphine Ivory Draped Corset Gown, £649

If your style is more glam than traditional bride, this gown is a great option.

best high street wedding dresses ASOS Edition, Flutter Sleeve Wedding Dress, £15017 of 27

ASOS Edition, Flutter Sleeve Wedding Dress, £112.50

A flutter sleeve is the ultimate flattering style.

Self-Portrait, White Taffeta Bow Mini Dress, £35018 of 27

Self-Portrait, White Taffeta Bow Mini Dress, £350

A big bow makes a great plus one (Groom aside).

best high street wedding dresses Jenny Yoo, One Shoulder Sequin Gown, £54519 of 27

Jenny Yoo, One Shoulder Sequin Gown, £545

Add a little pizzazz to your wedding day with a floor length sequin gown.

best high street wedding dresses Whistles, Mia Square Neck Wedding Dress, £49920 of 27

Whistles, Mia Square Neck Wedding Dress, £499

Square necklines are currently one of the most sought-after details on wedding dresses. This Whistles gown has nailed it.

best high street wedding dresses BHLDN, Willowby by Watters Hearst Gown, £1,148.5721 of 27

BHLDN, Willowby by Watters Hearst Gown, £1,148.57

If you're looking for something dramatic that's still affordable, BHLDN is the place to go.

best high street wedding dresses  RIXO, Feather Trim Mini Dress, £60022 of 27

RIXO, Feather Trim Mini Dress, £600

Feathers may not be a bridal staple but Lena's more than able to tempt you away from tradition, with glamorous silk jacquard, responsibly sourced ostrich plumes and a flattering miniskirt.

best high street wedding dresses Bronx and Banco, Bridal Midi Dress, £75923 of 27

Bronx and Banco, Bridal Midi Dress, £813

This is a glorious dress that would work for a civil ceremony, dinner the night before or even a second outfit.

best high street wedding dresses Coast, Long Sleeve Bridal Maxi Dress, £134.2524 of 27

Coast, Long Sleeve Bridal Maxi Dress, £119

It's hard to believe this dress is under £150. It will look lovely as it is or, if you want a more traditionally bridal look, add a long veil.

best high street wedding dresses Phase Eight, Elyse Lace Tiered Wedding Dress, £29925 of 27

Phase Eight, Elyse Lace Tiered Wedding Dress, £299

Cut to a shorter length, this floral lace dress features a tiered skirt with feminine border trims.

best high street wedding dresses Needle & Thread, Amalie Sequin V-Neck Gown, £45026 of 27

Needle & Thread, Amalie Sequin V-Neck Gown, £465

This dress looks far more expensive than the price tag would suggest thanks to the intricate detail.

best high street wedding dresses Sister Jane, Aurelie Oversized Midi Dress in Ivory, available to rent at Rotaro from £1927 of 27

Sister Jane, Aurelie Oversized Midi Dress in Ivory, available to rent at Rotaro from £19

Get on the rental hype.

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