As I write this article I have just heard that Borders Books are the latest High Street retailer to become a victim of the recession. Whilst I try to be an optimist I cannot help but think that the Dubai issue is going to have a major impact on our economy which is the last thing we need right now.With Threshers, Woolworths, MFI and others having gone to the wall, High Streets have suffered massively and I cannot see how they are going to recover from it in the short term. High streets need footfall in order for the businesses in them to survive. If you take away major shops, the public have less need to visit the High street and this plays right into the hands of the major multiples that are located on the edge of the town.In Soham High Street, the Butchers have recently reopened and are now owned by a Soham family. The Bakers and Greengrocers are also owned by Soham families and I too can proudly say that I am Soham “born and bred” and I own one of the two main shops in Town. Many other businesses in the High Street survive by the footfall that we all generate and this allows our small community to flourish as we all stand shoulder to shoulder.In any finely balanced economy it takes very little to cause a major disruption. Out of Town Supermarkets are major threats to local economies despite what people may think. Surveys show that new Supermarkets cause a net job loss of 260 people as local shops and businesses close.  £1 spent in a family owned shop is worth four times more to the local economy than £1 spent in a large Supermarket where profits are re distributed to shareholders who demand more each year.All of the major supermarkets are on the prowl for new areas to grow in.  They want to take as much market share as possible and do not care who they “kill off” in the process.  Lets all do what we can to protect the High Streets that we so often take for granted.  As we say in our industry “when it’s gone its gone” and that can apply to the heart of the community as much as anything.  

 We have always been proud of the work that we do within our communities.  Since taking over the business it has always been a top priority for me to ensure that we work closely with groups and charities who play such a vital role in ensuring that society can thrive.

Over the years I have worked with many Independent retailers and shared best practice regarding community work.  Retailers are, by their nature innovators and I have learned a great deal from others.  I also have worked with the Travel sector to share our learnings with travel agents who also share our problems.

On Friday I am hosting a meeting with two pub companies.  Just as the local shop is the lifeblood of many rural communities so too is the local pub.  The pub companies acknowledge this fact and are keen to learn from the C Store sector.

This Government has never understood the countryside.  They have never wanted to know how we live or how we ensure that our community survives.  The local shop and local pub play a pivotal role in the fabric of society.  I am very much looking forward to working with the pub companies to share best practice and hopefully assist them to move forward in these very difficult times.

I will let you know how I got on in next months Blog.