I have Some Thoughts about this mythical high street we’re all supposed to be saving by going back to work. The vast majority of high streets all have the same chain stores, because these big brands are the only ones who can afford the sky-high business rates

Most of these stores sell goods that were cheaply produced abroad, and with massive economies of scale they can price out one-off shops that sell ethically and sustainably made goods. I’ve seen several boutiques I follow on Insta announce they were closing recently.

While small businesses that only had one shop work hard to pivot to online sales, brands that have over-reached themselves in terms of their high street footprint are now complaining that they can’t sell enough products to keep up an unsustainable growth rate

I find it hard to feel sympathy for these brands, whose goal it was to drive out all local competition, and who now find themselves competing in an online market against small businesses with nicer websites and better quality products

Most of us have been supporting our *local* high street during lockdown by ordering takeaways or popping to the corner shop if our online food deliveries were missing a few items. But these are small parades of shops, not city centres, because none of us can afford to live there

It’s the greed of commercial landlords and big brands that’s killing the high street, and it always has been. No one should feel guilty for not shopping during a pandemic

And of course I *do* feel for retail and hospitality workers who are being threatened with job losses, but that’s where Universal Basic Income needs to come in

One last thing - the Post Office is the physical shop I’ve needed to use most during lockdown. My nearest one is a half-hour walk away. Local shops that actually serve the community are so important, especially for those who aren’t mobile or online