The one thing that kept the "little" shops alive was the after-hours and Sunday trade. It was the fact that they were "convenience" stores, trading long after the high street was closed and all over the weekend, that gave them a chance to compete with the big retailers.
Once the supermarkets started trading evenings and weekends the game was up for the independants.
Most members of the public begrudge giving a trader his profit when they can buy it cheaper elsewhere but get all misty-eyed about the disappearance of the corner shop.
Every housing estate has a shopping parade, but aside from the newsagent, pharmacy, post office and hairdresser, what's left?
Use it or lose it!
C-flat(ex-retailer)