Has nobody read the OP properly?
Short ride to work, leisure rides on road, trips to local shops.
So he's got to change into SPD shoes every time he wants to go to the shops? Get real! 🙂
I used to use the combo SPD/flat pedals and they are very good, but I found myself riding in normal clothes and shoes most of the time, then my new commuter bike came with some decent Wellgo flats (DX copies) and I've left them on. They're spot on, I think. Commuting is a 15 mile round trip, I pull a trailer to the supermarket and I've done a couple of longer rides (35-40 miles) no problems at all. And when I get there, I don't hobble round like a penguin or have to get changed!
I'm coming round to the fact that unless you want to go fast and/or a long distance, cycling shoes and all the right clothing is pretty much a waste of time.