Another victim of the High St crisis
I aM so sad at the loss of the small traditional bookshop, Swan Books, in Upminster, essex. It has been trading since 1937, but will close its doors for the last time tomorrow. It is the last real bookshop I know. Its owners say they have been put out of business after 83 years by ‘changes on the High Street, aggressive competition online and evolving consumer habits, which have made it uneconomic to continue. the reckless changes to the parking charges imposed last year by a council supposedly on our side was the final straw.’ High rents and business rates certainly have not helped. No doubt it will be replaced by a tattoo parlour, nail bar or a coffee shop. With every small shop and real pub that closes, a part of Britain dies. this much-loved bookshop has been run by people who didn’t tick corporate boxes and give false smiles, but really cared about their customers.
JOHN KENNEDY, Hornchurch, Essex. tHe collapse of so many shops on the High Street will mean uncertainty and unemployment. Many of these closures can be attributed to having to meet escalating business rate demands for little or no return. therefore, many councils must be suffering from a sharp downturn in income. By ramping up business rates, town halls have ignored the law of unintended consequences, pricing out of business a primary source of their income. Will council tax payers be expected to make up the shortfall, facing another round of diminishing local services while being charged more?
PETER WARRILOW, Lincoln. SHOPPING in Next at the Metrocentre in Gateshead, my wife inquired about some Jeff Banks jumpers. the sales assistant said: ‘We don’t stock them — you need to go online.’ Is there any wonder shops are losing out to online sales if they don’t sell items instore?