Shops and Services
What the high street and town centre have to offer
Littlehampton's high street and town centre provide the essential shops and services that a community of 38,000 people requires for daily life. The town centre is compact and walkable, with the majority of shops, banks, post offices and service outlets concentrated along the High Street and the connecting streets within a few minutes' walk of the railway station.
The high street has experienced the same pressures that have affected town centres across England: the growth of online shopping, the competition from out-of-town retail parks, the rise in business rates and the changing habits of consumers who increasingly view the high street as a place to browse rather than to buy. These pressures have led to vacancies, with some units standing empty for extended periods, and the character of the high street has shifted from a comprehensive shopping destination to a mix of convenience retail, charity shops, cafes and service businesses.
Despite the challenges, the high street retains a range of useful outlets. Charity shops, of which there are several, provide affordable clothing, books, household items and gifts while raising funds for their parent organisations. Independent shops, including a bookshop, gift shops, hairdressers and specialist retailers, contribute variety and local character that the chain stores cannot match. The independent sector is the most distinctive part of the high street, offering products and personal service that reward the customer who takes the time to explore.
Supermarkets serve the town's grocery needs, with branches of the major chains providing the range, convenience and competitive pricing that most households expect. The supermarkets are located on the edge of the town centre, with car parking, and they attract the bulk of the town's food shopping expenditure. Smaller convenience stores in the residential areas provide top-up shopping for items needed between the main supermarket visits.
Banking services have contracted significantly in recent years, with branch closures reducing the number of banks on the high street. The remaining branches provide counter services, cash machines and financial advice, but for many transactions customers are directed towards online and telephone banking. The Post Office provides an alternative for basic banking transactions, including deposits and withdrawals, for customers of participating banks.
The Post Office itself provides its traditional range of services, including postal services, parcels, vehicle tax, bill payments and travel money. The post office is one of the most used services on the high street, combining multiple functions in a single location and serving customers who value face-to-face service for transactions that they are unwilling or unable to complete online.
The market, held on set days during the week, adds variety to the town centre offer, with stalls selling fresh produce, clothing, household goods, flowers and speciality foods. The market brings colour and activity to the streets, attracting shoppers who appreciate the market experience and the opportunity to buy directly from stallholders.
The town centre is also the location for professional services, including solicitors, estate agents, accountants and financial advisers, serving the needs of residents and businesses in the Littlehampton area. These service businesses contribute to the footfall on the high street and provide employment in the town centre.