My partner and I went to a local town yesterday to buy her sister some earrings. It’s one of the larger towns in Dorset — a popular destination known for its independent shops and Saturday market. We arrived around 1pm. It was a bit windy but dry, and there were plenty of people milling about.
We visited three independent jewellers — all of them were shut.
If we’re encouraged to support the high street and shop with local, independent businesses, how are we meant to do so? Like many people, we both work full-time, and it’s difficult to visit these shops within their very limited opening hours.
Is the high street struggling because business owners no longer want to work unsociable hours?