Agreed Keith, but when you've got the likes of Poundworld seemingly about to call in administrators, there's no much hope left for the traditional high street.I honestly don't know if it's primarily because of landlords charging higher rents or that people's spending habits have changed.40 years ago you had heavy industry in out of town locations and as that sector 'died' it was replaced by retail parks and such places are now seen as destinations in their own right, e.g. Westfield, Bluewater, Meadowhall etc.The banking sector is now closing stores left, right and centre because most people use internet banking, and the only time I've set foot inside a bank in the last year is on the very rare occasions a client pays me by cheque.Like most people, if I see an expensive item in a shop that I want, inevitably I'll go on the internet for it (often then and there when I'm in the shop) and order it for a substantial saving. The only town centre I actually find pleasant and can happily spend afew hours in around this area is Kingston, Chiswick and Richmond are okay but both 'ruined' by the main roads right through the middle, less said about Brentford the better.I spend so much time (for work) carrying out surveys of A1 retail uses within town centres all over the country and it never ceases to amaze me just how many vacant shops there are and how fiercely Councils try to retain them in retail use despite the high levels of vacant units and the plethora of charity shops etc.I'm involved in one project at the moment where the Council is very insistent that my fast food client enters into an agreement confirming that it won't close its town centre store down - I find it remarkable that a Council sees a fast food restaurant/takeaway as making such an important contribution to the viability of a town centre !.
Adam Beamish ● 2628d