Call for National Conversation as High Streets Face Existential Threat

A leading hospitality industry figure has warned that Britain is at risk of losing its high streets and town centres unless urgent action is taken to address rising costs and declining footfall.

Speaking to BBC Five Live, Alex Reilley, chairman of café-bar operator Loungers, said the government’s decision to lower the national insurance contributions threshold is the latest blow to businesses that are already struggling to stay afloat. He described the policy as “a tax designed to stifle ambition and growth,” warning that it will lead to closures, reduced investment, and fewer jobs across the sector.

While recognising the need for better-funded public services, Reilley argued that the current direction of policy is unsustainable. “We’re going to have to have a national conversation about the value of high streets and town centres,” he said. “We’re in danger of losing something that sits at the heart of British society.”

The hospitality and retail industries have already been navigating years of inflation, rising wage bills, and shifting consumer behaviour. With prices steadily increasing, Reilley noted that businesses are reaching a point where further hikes risk pushing customers away altogether.

“It’s not just about economics,” he said. “It’s about community. We can’t talk about building homes without also thinking about where people live their lives—high streets, cafés, shops, and local venues. These places matter.”

Industry voices are now calling on the government and public to reconsider the future of town centres—not just as commercial hubs, but as vital social spaces in need of support and protection.