High streets up and down the country are under attack. From the rise of online shopping driving the decline of footfall, to the mounting pressures of business rates, tax, and the Living Wage, Britain's retailers are struggling to turn a profit.

Marks & Spencer, Poundworld, Carluccio’s, Homebase, Mothercare and Carphone Warehouse are among the companies that have announced closures so far this year.

For some shoppers, the ease and convenience of online shopping, with its infinite choice and next-day delivery, will always trump shopping on the high street. But for others, nothing beats browsing in a bricks-and-mortar store.

Andy Street - Conservative mayor of the West Midlands and former managing director of John Lewis - is one such champion of the high street. He put forward his vision for thriving town centres in a column for the Telegraph.

Our readers were quick to join the debate, reflecting on the state of their local high streets and suggesting their own solutions. Read on for our readers’ take on how to make our high streets thrive again.

Reduce the cost of parking

An issue that many readers felt Mr Street failed to address was the cost of parking. People took to the comments section to lament the "eye-watering" price of parking that they felt contributed to the declining footfall in their town centres.