Sorry, but I’m with Jon and damo here; surely it’s much better to have premises that are in use, and that people are visiting, instead of empty and boarded up shop fronts? This is currently an issue in Chippenham; Cafe Nero have taken over a shop that’s been empty in a small precinct, prior to getting planning permission, which has got various locals all het up, we also have a couple of independents and a couple of other chains, including Starbucks. Cafe Nero have just got permission, and Starbucks have just announced they’re closing! Now, I have used a small local coffee shop for well over ten years, but I have no objections to others opening, I use Cafe Nero in other places, and if people want the service they offer, then they’ll succeed, which seems to have been at the expense of Starbucks, which I’m not upset about.
Thing is, people used to whine about there being too many estate agents/shoe shops/charity shops/blah blah blah, so it’s never possible to keep people happy with whatever shops are available, and if a business offers something the public wants, then that business will succeed.
Whether c_g likes it or not. Sorry c_g, but that’s my take, based on what happens in my home town. 😀