What a shame! Shopping malls were once a convenient one-stop shop for all your consumer needs - but not now.

They quickly became popular social hubs filled with shops and restaurants where people would meet up with friends or go on dates. In the 1980s they hit their peak in popularity in the US, with 140 being constructed a year by the mid 90s.

But by the early part of this century, underperforming and vacant malls, known as "greyfield" and "dead mall" estates, were an emerging problem. Coupled with the closure of major flag ship stores in a number of centres their footfall and appeal dwindled as shoppers went elsewhere.

There's lots of quality news coming out of the US.

Thanks to urban explorer Matthew Christopher of Abandoned America, the Daily Star is able to show what a number of these dead malls look like today.

Matthew, who has travelled the length and breadth of America has collated an extensive collection of pictures from now vacant units.

He has a regular podcast, where he tells the story of the ruins he visits, including one on The Life and Death of the American Mall.

You can follow his work on Facebook and Instagram, or by visiting his website.