High rents and the spread of chain stores are being blamed for an exodus of independent retailers from Beaufort Street, one of Perth's most famous entertainment and shopping strips.

Key points: There are more than 30 shops sitting vacant along the Beaufort Street strip

There are more than 30 shops sitting vacant along the Beaufort Street strip Many are blaming landlords and the "exorbitant rents" some are charging

Many are blaming landlords and the "exorbitant rents" some are charging It is leading to a loss of independent retailers in the area and more chain stores

For decades, Mount Lawley and Highgate have been home to the bustling cafe strip, with a vibrant mix of bars, restaurants and retail shops lining what is a major transport vein leading out of Perth's CBD.

But the district has struggled economically in recent times, with popular craft beer and wine lounge Five Bar the latest in a laundry list of local business to pack up shop.

Management took to social media on Wednesday night to announce the bar's imminent closure, with a lease termination notice claiming its owners owe more than $34,500 in rent, taxes and rates.

Perth MLA John Carey said high rent is the biggest issue for Beaufort Street. ( ABC News: Claire Moodie )

The ABC has counted 33 vacant shops along the strip, with chain stores making up 25 of the more than 100 remaining businesses.

Cheaper rent offered on exclusive King Street: John Carey

Perth MLA and founder of the Beaufort Street Network group John Carey laid the street's problems at the feet of landlords.

"I met with a retail outlet that was leaving Beaufort Street because their property owner wouldn't shift enough on rent, but they could get a cheaper rent per square metre in King Street in Perth," he told ABC Radio Perth.

"I kid you not. That shows the extraordinary situation that we do face on some of these main streets."

More than 30 restaurant and retail spaces along Beaufort Street are sitting empty. ( ABC News: Gian De Poloni )

Mr Carey said exorbitant rents meant independent retailers were being turfed out by chain stores who could afford the cost.

"Why would I go to Mount Lawley when I'm effectively getting the same offering in a shopping centre?" he said.

High rent kills off authentic experiences

Leederville Connect action group chairman David Galloway said he had seen the same situation play out in other parts of Perth.

"Unfortunately I think there's a number of the old school real estate agents and property owners who only think in terms of what's good for me and what's good for my business in the short term," he said.

"The rents do get jacked up and people do move out, and then all of a sudden people are saying 'the shops are empty'."

David Galloway says high rents threaten the unique experiences offered in Perth's cafe strips. ( Supplied: City of Vincent )

He said this cycle severely impeded on the unique vibe of the neighbourhood.

"People are looking for an authentic experiences, they want to have something that feels local," he said.

"They come into these centres to do shopping, then they think about eating or having a drink.

"You see this trend where retail disappears then food and beverage gets squeezed out then the chains move in and people say, 'well, those places aren't cool anymore so let's not go there'."

It's believed food delivery services also played a role in Mount Lawley's economic woes. ( ABC News: Gian De Poloni )

Mr Carey said the effects of online shopping and multinational on-demand services like Uber Eats and Deliveroo could be seen on Beaufort Street.

"A lot of people buy their clothes online. The idea of going into a shop feels old," he said.

"[Uber Eats] could be up to 40 per cent of a business's trade, but of course there are costs associated with that.

"We're seeing in America that it's changing so much that second kitchens are being created just dedicated to catering for Uber."

Mount Lawley is also home to many shops and restaurants in alleyways and arcades running off Beaufort Street. ( ABC News: Gian De Poloni )

'Name your price'

Payam Golestani has run his real estate business on Beaufort Street for 20 years and agreed high rents had caused issues for many.

He said some agents were not being honest with their customers.

"You could ask for anything, you would just name your price," he said.

"The agents were not being sinister, but the advice that they were probably giving was, 'I can get you $1,100 a square metre'.

"But what they don't tell you is that you get that $1,100 for five years, then you're going to have three years of vacancy because they can't afford it."

Payam Golestani says there is a lack of things for families to do in Mount Lawley. ( ABC News: Gian De Poloni )

But Mr Golestani did not think rent was the biggest issue facing Beaufort Street.

"The biggest factor right now is that we don't have strong day trading," he said.

"We need to have something for families to do — once kids come, the parents will come.

"When there is foot traffic then people see an opportunity to launch a business that can use that traffic."

'No silver bullet'

Mr Galloway said the problem had to be addressed on a number of fronts.

"Everybody wants to find the silver bullet that's going to kill the werewolf," he said.

"It has got to be addressed through activation by the local community, it has to be addressed by real estate agents and the landlords.

"There probably are also some structural and policy issues."

Just one of Mount Lawley's bars and restaurants to have closed in recent times. ( ABC News: Gian De Poloni )

But Mr Carey said he did not think red tape was a hindrance.

"Alfresco fees have been cut in Vincent [and] there's been a second wave of liquor reform to try to make it easier to open small bars," he said.

"I do believe it's about the cost of rent.

"A good main street, a good retail and cafe strip should have an interesting mix of independent small businesses, cafes, restaurants or bars that people are actually prepared to go to and linger at.

"If you don't have vibrant main streets that offer a genuine mix that encourage people to linger and go there, then you're going to have trouble."