There's only one way I know to help fight the trend, and it's one that most who subscribe to this complaint don't follow. I mean, of course, that if you want to keep local shops then use the ones you've got, and encourage others to do likewise.

Yes, this will almost always cost you more, though in my experience not as much more as you might think, but you will often experience a level of service which supposedly no longer exists.

You are also far more likely to find local produce this way, which can be no bad thing.

We can have the type of shopping environment we are prepared to support.

To introduce a slightly musical twist, the same thing applies to pubs (chainstore plastic themed ones v. real ones) where much of the best folk is to be found...and I've just had a blast from the past, a song with chorus "They're knocking them down, the old pubs"...anyone out there know of it?