Shopkeepers in Bearwood are considering abandoning the area as a surge in crime, mountains of litter and a proliferation of 24/7 shops drives away customers and tarnishes the high street's reputation.
A High Street in Decline
Located on the border of Smethwick and Birmingham, Bearwood is facing a severe downturn according to local business owners. Abuzaffar Sonde, proprietor of the Islamic store Ar-Raqib on Bearwood Road, is among those debating whether to shut up shop when his lease expires in 2026.
Mr Sonde reported a dramatic increase in daily shoplifting, pickpocketing, begging and drug-taking. He attributes much of the problem to an oversaturation of late-night establishments, stating he has personally counted fifteen 24/7 shops, five bookmakers, and a newly approved 24/7 casino.
"For me I think that's where the council is going wrong. Too many of one particular type of shop makes no sense to me," he said. "Families are being shattered by gambling and people don't have the money in their pockets and we're just encouraging more people to gamble."
Economic Pressures and Criminal Activity
The situation is compounded by rising operational costs. Business rates, property rates, and utility bills are soaring while customer footfall and income are shrinking. The impending closure of high street staples like Poundland and the Halifax bank branch deals further blows to the area's viability.
Imran Khan, owner of Carpet Mill, has experienced the crime firsthand. "My car has been broken into twice this year," he revealed, adding that he was forced to remove display rolls from his shop front due to thieves repeatedly stealing hundreds of pounds worth of stock.
Mr Khan echoed concerns about the 24/7 shops, questioning their business model and their impact on the area's character. "The good, decent people are being driven away. If branches like Poundland and Halifax are going, what does that say about the area?"
Contrasting Views and Underlying Issues
Not all local business owners share this bleak outlook. Harji Kaur, who runs Cafe Craft, reported a more positive experience. "I only work here, I don't live here but it's the best I've seen it in 21 years," she said, noting that all shop units are currently occupied.
However, Councillor Bob Piper has highlighted another significant problem for Bearwood: the influx of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). He told a Sandwell Council planning meeting that this was turning the area into a "slum", with "great piles of waste" accumulating as a result.
Residents have also objected to new late-night off-licences, complaining that smashed glass bottles, drug paraphernalia and human waste are creating a public health and safety risk on Bearwood Road.
For traders like Abuzaffar Sonde, the decision to stay or go is becoming increasingly straightforward. "Bearwood used to be very beautiful. Everything was available... but that time has gone," he lamented. "If I wasn't a business owner here and all I saw was takeaways and 24/7 shops then what reason do I have to come here?"
