One local man said March is “the most marvellous town anyone could live in”
Residents in a Cambridgeshire town have mixed views when it comes to the state of their high street. As shop closures hit March High Street like many others in the country, some say the town is “dying” while others say the town is “the most marvellous anyone could live in”.
March has seen a few business closures over the last few years for various reasons, including Clarks shoe shop and Tesco Express which closed in 2024. Meanwhile, a multi-million pound regeneration project has been taking place to spruce up the town centre.
This project includes works on the Market Place, with new paving, a Broad Street transformation which began in 2023, and more recently a new toilet block expected by April 2026 in the town centre. CambridgeshireLive visited the town to find out what residents think about the high street amid the regeneration works.
Barrie Crawford, 76, has lived in March since he was a child. He said: “They have done a good job with the regeneration.”
However, he said he believes that “with online shopping, they ought to turn them [closing businesses] into houses and flats instead of more shops that aren’t going to do well”.
Kyrie Calderbank, 37, from Chatteris, is looking to move to March. She said that the town reminds her of Chorley, in Lancashire, where she previously lived. She is looking to move to March because of the ideal transport links and things to do. She also said that the town offers opportunities for children.
Kyrie said: “The high street is dying essentially,” but added “I love the charity shops, I always have and that’s the most consistent”.
Another resident, Sandra Cumbridge, 79, who has lived in March all her life, said: “It used to be a lovely town when I was growing up, lovely, and now just horrendous,” adding “we have no good shops”.
Susana Sanchez, 40, has been living in March for over two years. She said: “Everything is online, for shops, for clothing, for shoes, everything is better to buy online.” She believes this may be “the main reason shops are closing”.
Susana explained how she believes renting a local place in March is “expensive, so they [businesses] cannot cope” but emphasised that she still enjoys and spends time in the town.
While Susana is a relative newcomer to the town, Peter Jackman, 95, who has lived in March his whole life, says he thinks it is “the most marvellous town anyone could live in”, and that “compared to other towns, we are very lucky.”
Peter added: “We have got a wonderful park, a wonderful town centre, and the atmosphere and friendship in March is wonderful.”
Elizabeth, who did not wish to share her full name, said: “I love the coffee shops. Sadly, the shops have all gone so we have no place to shop, but they have made the town so welcoming.”