Once the largest shopping centre in Europe, a tired UK retail complex took another blow as Halifax confirmed its imminent closure.
Runcorn Shopping City will only have one bank left after Halifax closes on 29 April 2025, following in the footsteps of Santander.
Branded a "shopping centre with no shops in it" by Runcorn barber Adam Killen, the centre couldn't be further from its former glory when it was opened in 1972 by and was the largest enclosed complex in
Former shops have been replaced by non-retail units, such as high street favourite B&M, which is now an NHS phase 2 health clinic.
Other high street favourites joined B&M in its exit, including Tesco and The Range.
It , as confirmed by the BBC in September, which reported the equivalent of 38 shops per day closed in the UK this year.
Gail Mayers, 61, who was shopping with her daughter Lisa, told Cheshire Live: "It's always been the same. There's nothing here."
Lisa chipped in: "We've had everything in here but it's getting worse, emptier."
The decline began in the 1980s due to tension between property owners and the businesses, worsened by issues between owners and contractors responsible for managing the building.
However, it wasn't all bad news; Poundstretcher took over the former Wilko shop, which was left empty after it went into adminstration in 2023.
Care UK opened in January, and Sale Lab fashion, which sells brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Vans and North Face, also opened last year.
Confirming there were 55 trading businesses at the close of last year, Shopping Centre Manager Dave Pearman said: "Despite the struggles of the high street we are delighted to be able to say that at Shopping City we are beating the trends in town centres.
He added: "In fact, footfall this year has stayed consistently high, engagement with customers has been positive as they can see things changing with a number of exciting new businesses entering the space."
In 2012, £3 million was invested to renovate the building's exterior and three of the four multi-storey car parks, but it hasn't gone far enough according to locals.
Rob Garrett, 39, who works in the centre said: "They've tried to do things to get new people in - there was a crazy golf course [in the square at the centre of Shopping City] last summer - but I think a lot of people would rather go to Warrington or Widnes now."
You may also like
'Sitting here': Maharashtra deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis hints at Mahayuti's chief minister face
NFL star 'quicker than Usain Bolt' left Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill saying same thing
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana: In this scheme, the government will give 15 lakh rupees to the farmers, know how to apply?
India Calls for US to Cooperate With Canada's Probe Into Nijjar's Killing
Martin Lewis gives 'six-month' warning to people under 73 as they could claim £10,000s
Massive 5.9 magnitude earthquake hits country loved by British tourists
Terence Crawford completes Conor McGregor U-turn with new message to UFC star
'I'm a travel expert - 10 cheapest holidays to book now from £28 return'
Recipe for Double Omelette
Ration card: This rule of free ration is going to change in two months, big news for ration card holders
Hot weather forecast as 21C Iberian heat bomb to roast UK in hours - new maps
Raptee T30 Bike and Its Features
Train Cancelled: Bad news for passengers traveling by train, 36 trains of this route were canceled
Height of dynastic politics: Tarun Chugh slams Congress for sidelining principles in Wayanad bypoll
Top Indian planners to attend Shangri-La Muscat Wedding Fair
ABY: The easiest way to get Ayushman card, you will need only these documents
How to Get Rid of Head Pimples: Effective Tips and Remedies
'Family man' orders 20 beers then ruins stranger's Christmas with act of 'stupidity'
IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians Appoint Paras Mhambrey As Bowling Coach
"Priority will be to bridge gap which has come in last 10 years": J-K Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary