Jayne and I went into the town centre today, we had a look around the shops and pub lunch. In the past I have been struck by how many units in the town centre are closed down, but today it was another thought that occupied me – how many of them are still open.I still find it hard to believe that some of these shops can do enough business to remain viable, even in a boom. Who buys all this stuff?  When every person in the country seems to have a mobile phone, how does the local economy sustain at least half a dozen shops that sell nothing but mobile phones?  How many people go out shopping for candles?
I don’t know who all these consumers are but bless them – they are keeping the economy afloat. If everyone else was like me the town centre would have a couple of record shops, a couple of book shops, a camera shop, an electronics shop, a clothes shop, a supermarket and Argos which sells everything else.
We came home with socks and a couple of CDs.
How about a greengrocers, butchers and fishmonger selling as much locally produced food as possible? Spread the money you spend to more than just Tesco or Somerfield’s head office. Or worse, Wal-Mart. It isn’t necessarily more expensive either – if we go our local farm shop rather than Sainsbury or Tesco we are usually spending about a tenner less on our shopping and it is much better quality.
One good thing about Rugby – there’s a greengrocer and butcher in the town.
Unfortunately a massive Asda is to be completed later in the year…
Good point Jane – although you really want butchers, bakers and greengrocers in the local shop, within walking distance. Not a position I have been in since I lived in Lewisham.
Interestingly, the availability of fresh veg and meat in local shops is now improving thanks to the proliferation of halal butchers. Doesn’t help with a bacon sandwich, but its a step in the right direction.
What? no Woolworths with Airfix ‘planes hanging from the ceiling, no L&H Cloakes, no Capital Cameras, and no Harold Lines (motorcycles) .. ?? There used to be a little upstairs electronic components shop near the entrance to where the The Mall now is.. were they called PTS Components ? Also along that lane, a seed merchant cum good old fashioned horticultural store where you could buy (wooden!) trays of young antirrhinums, dahlias and other bedding plants in season.. Aah, that general homely smell of fertilizers and good things permeated the shop. Fond memories.
Also more recently, a lovely little s/h bookshop opposite the old Jobcentre building .
It’s ironic what you say about the Halal greengroceries though. Personaly, I prefer to travel to the small country based farmshops and support their specialised and friendlier quality businesses.
I think overall that my personal policies and those of the BNP concure with you on these valid points.
atb, Nimmy. x