Threat to shops

Jul 1 2009

Sir, – It’s been widely reported in the press that high street shops are closing at a dramatic rate – some say up to 100 every day – as businesses struggle with people tightening their belts. This is bad news for local traders, many of which were struggling before the recent economic woes in the face of competition from bigger retailers, and it’s bad news for all of us too. Small businesses are the unsung heroes of the high street and do a fantastic job. They just need the support of their local residents.

Which? members tell us that they value the specialist knowledge and customer service offered by local retailers. When we asked our members to tell us about their favourite high street shops, four of the top 10 were local independent outlets.

Through the Which? Local website (www.which-local.co.uk) our members recommend reliable local businesses to each other. Earlier this month we gave awards to the best local businesses across a variety of trades and regions and the thousands of recommendations we received were testament to just how much we rely on, and appreciate, our local shops. The overall winner was a butcher in Leicestershire – yet since 2000 the country has lost an average of five butchers every single week.

We’d encourage everyone to give their local high street shops and local tradespeople a chance. And if you find a good one tell your friends and families and spread the word.

Undoubtedly chain and convenience stores have a place on the high street but our members want to continue to see choice and diversity in their local area. The British high street is worth saving and if we pull together we can give it a fighting chance. Yours, etc.

PETER VICARY-SMITHChief executiveWhich?