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its the age old thing of greedy landlords and our councils not helping small independent buisinesses with buisness rates that bleed them dry.

Sadly despite the saying England is a nation of small shopkeepers (or words to that effect) I've found the past 15 or so years that our cities have done nothing to encourage independent local shops in any way.

Its a bee in my bonnet the homogenisation of all our high streets.

When I go to Europe and particularly Paris I revel in the way each local area still retains sometimes quirky or specialist independent traders.

This is what gives an area its character and makes it worth exploring.

I never bother to go to the likes of Kings Road or Kensington High Street any more-Its pointless-M&S,Zara,H&M, etc etc I can get that in the west end or a mall if I was that way inclined.

I really feel our high rents and rates and expensive public transport are killing london.

  • 9 months later...

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