The poll also highlighted a desire for more choice with 36% agreeing that high streets should have a greater number of hospitality and leisure venues. A meagre 3% strongly agreed with the statement that high streets are ‘generally vibrant and busy’.

MERKUR UK General Manager, Sascha Blodau believes the fortunes of the high street and those of gambling entertainment businesses including the 200 MERKUR Slots venues are directly linked. “The low stake/low prize gambling entertainment industry continues to make a huge investment on high streets throughout the country, employing local people, buying products and services from local businesses and providing socially responsible gaming entertainment to local people” he stated.

“The YouGov survey has highlighted a desire to breathe life into the high street experience by offering consumers more hospitality and leisure opportunities. There’s also the feeling that the high street has not properly recovered from the commercial body-blows caused by periods spent under lockdown.”

He continued: “Individual businesses can only do so much. We believe the size of the challenge requires investment in infrastructure, improved public transport, a root and branch review of the current business rates as well as a recognition that the high street needs to provide much more than just a shopping experience.

“The retail gambling entertainment industry is investing in literally thousands of high streets throughout the country and it is vital that we are part of the debate at local and national levels if we are to revitalise our depleted town centres.”

MERKUR UK will repeat the research initiative in 12-months-time to measure any shifts in opinion and perception. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 2026 adults and was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).