RESIDENTS and visitors fear for the future of the high street as shops continue to shut down.

Shoppers said it was a “shame” to see so many empty stores in Brighton and Hove, worrying that the threat of online shopping might see an end to retail as we know it.

A flurry of independent and chain stores have closed their doors for good in recent months.

Boots and Co-op have both shut stores, with Miss Selfridge, Burton and Dorothy Perkins soon to join them.

Meanwhile independent shops such as La Cave a Fromage in Western Road, Hove, was also forced to shut in August shortly after it was targeted in a burglary.

The Argus took to the streets to see how people feel about the closures.

Robert Norman, from Saltdean, said he has lived in Brighton for 30 years and has seen the city’s shops endure mixed fortunes in that time.

The 48-year-old said: “Right now Brighton is looking a bit worn down I think, and it’s because there are so many shops which are abandoned or empty.

“As a city Brighton seems to go through these ups and downs and they come in waves.

“It will look worse for wear then money will be invested and a lot will be done to make it look better again.

“Right now it is in a dip, but I would like to see it back to its best again.”

He also reacted to the loss of so many stores.

Robert said: “It’s sad. Since I moved here Churchill Square and Western Road have always been a focal point for people to go and that’s largely down to the shops.

“Unfortunately the internet has taken over.

“Now you can buy cheaper stuff and have it delivered to your door.”

He suggested that lower business rates for shops could “make sure the high street continues”.

Barbara Humpage was visiting Brighton from the West Midlands and said she had noticed numerous empty shops and closing down sales.

The 60-year-old said: “I have seen a lot of the main stores are closing.

“Names that I grew up with like British Home Stores have now vanished.

“It could be down to online trading, a lot of people that I know now do all of their shopping on the internet.

“But I think there are many people who want to be able to visit a shop, rather than doing it all online.”

Standing in front of large “closing down” signs in the windows of Dorothy Perkins and Burton, she gestured to the stores behind her.

“You have another one going here, it’s a real shame,” she said.

“It’s awful to see.

“They have been going for such a long time then, suddenly, they are just gone.”

She said online shopping was “fine for some” but older people who do not use computers so often might struggle if the physical shops were to go.

Another passing shopper, who gave her name only as Kirsty, was highly critical of the look of the empty shops in the city.

She said: “It’s a dump, it’s a nightmare.

“I moved here 22 years ago and I have never seen it as bad as it is now.

“It’s just a shame, it’s really sad to see.”