We visited on November 19 and found a number of places in Stratford were empty or permanently closed, with no set date to re-open.
The former Builders Arms pub, located at 302 High Street, has lay vacant since its closure in 2020.
It could be seen covered in graffiti, with signs advertising real estate and property investment group Dominus – who are planning to transform the site into student housing.
Across the road, a nameless shop with the words ‘Fast Food’ lay empty with its shutters down.
Further along High Street, the historic Rex Theatre building could be seen boarded up.
The Victorian theatre and opera house was built in 1896 and was transformed into a cinema in 1933.
When the cinema closed in 1969, the building was used for various purposes, such as a bingo hall, a nightclub and, most recently, a trampoline park called ZAPspace – which is now permanently closed.
In May, Newham Council accepted an application by the Columbo Group to turn the empty building into Jazz Café East.
In Broadway, the red shutters of London Community Credit Union were visible after it entered administration and stopped trading in January.
The building was empty and the shutters were covered in various graffiti patterns.
Near the entrance to Stratford Centre, a former Starbucks café also lay empty.
Further down at 54-55 Broadway, convenience store Global Food & Wine was vacant, with its interior covered by torn-up material.
A newer iteration of the store has opened at 39 Broadway, but the building of the former store remains empty.
Next to it, a massive former bank named Handelsbanken at 57 Broadway was entirely empty, with no sign of activity.
In total, we spotted at least 10 empty shops.
We asked residents and shoppers what they make of the vacant units – and the things they would like to see on their high street.
Naz Patel, a local mother, said: “The number of closed shops is very sad to see.
“There are colleges and schools here… having it be more active and busy for young people would be nice.”
Local shopper Sylvie, who declined to give her surname, said: “Many shops are closed.
“I am not happy at all.
“Maybe they think that it is changing to suit the people’s needs now, but me and my friends don’t feel that way.
“I don’t like going out anymore, because there’s nothing on the high street to look for.”
Bernadette Chatir said she wanted the cleanliness of High Street to be addressed.
Others were more positive about their experiences of shopping there.
One Stratford resident of 16 years said: “It is really nice and safe.
“But, when shops close down, it makes you feel so bad.”
