>>high street retail diversity survives - and it is delightful
>>THE ISSUES THAT MATTER, FROM THE PEOPLE INVOLVED
Just before I popped away on holiday, there was plenty of publicity around a new report slamming the rise of clone high streets - and how they were damaging retail diversity and thus limiting consumer choice.
I remembered all of this as I was munching ice cream while wandering around the splendid town on Britain’s south coast where I spent part of my holiday (you will soon see why I am not saying where on the south coast).
This particular town does not have a Starbucks. There’s no McDonald’s. There are no nasty big chain pubs full of kids getting bladdered. It has a very small Woolies and a Boots, but there’s no WHSmith. And there are no big superstores on the edge of town.
And do you know what? This particular seaside resort is absolutely the better for their collective absence.
It’s got a busy, bustling, thriving high street full of cafés, restaurants and ‘proper pubs’; there are loads of little family-owned shops selling everything from tourist geegaws to designer gear; and, unlike the high street in the town where I live, there are absolutely no charity shops taking advantage of empty retail space (because there is none). The town’s two smallish supermarkets do a great job, and trade nicely alongside a smattering of traditional food shops and delis.
It all sounds idyllic, I know. But I don’t holiday in some posh resort. I’m talking about a fairly ordinary little seaside town that, for its size, boasts an amazingly diverse and vibrant retail community. It’s only when you visit towns like this that you remember how life used to be on high streets across Britain. I only hope locals don’t forget that should the clones ever try to come to their town.
While I am in the mood for nostalgia - let’s talk about Unwins. It’s not that long ago that I used to be able to pop into my local Unwins to buy some decent wine and choose from a good, albeit eclectic, range.
Not any more. My local branch - like many others - can barely find enough stock to keep its shelves looking full. It’s a desperate state of affairs, and one that has clearly been rumbling on for far too long. I only hope that Unwins’ new management team sorts out its very obvious problems. Before it is too late.
wish you’d been there?
speaking of which...
>>THE ISSUES THAT MATTER, FROM THE PEOPLE INVOLVED
Just before I popped away on holiday, there was plenty of publicity around a new report slamming the rise of clone high streets - and how they were damaging retail diversity and thus limiting consumer choice.
I remembered all of this as I was munching ice cream while wandering around the splendid town on Britain’s south coast where I spent part of my holiday (you will soon see why I am not saying where on the south coast).
This particular town does not have a Starbucks. There’s no McDonald’s. There are no nasty big chain pubs full of kids getting bladdered. It has a very small Woolies and a Boots, but there’s no WHSmith. And there are no big superstores on the edge of town.
And do you know what? This particular seaside resort is absolutely the better for their collective absence.
It’s got a busy, bustling, thriving high street full of cafés, restaurants and ‘proper pubs’; there are loads of little family-owned shops selling everything from tourist geegaws to designer gear; and, unlike the high street in the town where I live, there are absolutely no charity shops taking advantage of empty retail space (because there is none). The town’s two smallish supermarkets do a great job, and trade nicely alongside a smattering of traditional food shops and delis.
It all sounds idyllic, I know. But I don’t holiday in some posh resort. I’m talking about a fairly ordinary little seaside town that, for its size, boasts an amazingly diverse and vibrant retail community. It’s only when you visit towns like this that you remember how life used to be on high streets across Britain. I only hope locals don’t forget that should the clones ever try to come to their town.
While I am in the mood for nostalgia - let’s talk about Unwins. It’s not that long ago that I used to be able to pop into my local Unwins to buy some decent wine and choose from a good, albeit eclectic, range.
Not any more. My local branch - like many others - can barely find enough stock to keep its shelves looking full. It’s a desperate state of affairs, and one that has clearly been rumbling on for far too long. I only hope that Unwins’ new management team sorts out its very obvious problems. Before it is too late.
wish you’d been there?
speaking of which...
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