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Our local shops under threat
• THE news that Cavours, our local hardware shop in Swain’s Lane, is to close down in March comes as yet another blow to local residents. In recent years we have lost our bank, post office, launderette and local supermarket, and have gained a number of cafes, two estate agents and a Tesco. There are now seven establishments where you can buy a coffee and two where you can buy a house but, after March, none where you will be able to buy a light bulb. For those of us lucky enough to have cars, we will no doubt be driving to B&Q in Colindale to buy a packet of fuses. Rising rents and competition from low cost warehouses may be the cause, but the area is now in free fall, with each loss increasing the probability of further losses.
The eradication of an integrated, varied, privately-owned retail strip impoverishes us all. What to do? As consumers we should be prepared to pay quite a hefty premium for convenience. We should also be prepared to resist any applications for change of use. The alternative is to recognize the inevitable, embrace café society and give the locality a bijou village name. How about Lower Hampstead With Parking?
TIM SANDERS
St Albans Road, NW5
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