TAKE ROOT

Many businesses on the high street also offer a platform for other activities. In Somerset, the interiors and lifestyle shop Caro (carosomerset.com) stocks pieces ranging from kitchenware and lighting to jewellery and skincare, and has become a destination for design lovers. The retailer has expanded its offering on Bruton High Street to include a separate studio space, which can be hired for workshops, exhibitions or even photo-shoots, as well as a bed-and-breakfast for overnight stays. Other independent retailers around the country have embarked on similar projects, from hosting supper clubs to teaching calligraphy, showing the value that these spaces bring to local communities beyond simple retail outlets. The more we engage with small businesses, the more we can all experience the joys they bring.