Local high streets to see boom in new stores due to hybrid working – report 22/07/2021, 12:07 am Local high streets could see a boom in store openings due to more people working at home. (David Parry/PA) Local high streets could see 17,000 new stores open over the next 12 months as retailers look to take advantage of new hybrid working models, according to research. Barclays Corporate Banking found that consumers have returned to physical stores with confidence since restrictions began to ease, with 68% saying they have felt safe, or very safe, to return to the high street. While there has been a boom in online shopping during the pandemic, 40% of shoppers said they plan to increase their in-store spending, a survey by the bank found.