The independent comeback
By DanMartin | Friday, August 14, 2009, 12:28
Is it me or is the local, independent business staging a comeback?
A wander down North Street threw up some truly independent gems – a shoe shop, a butchers, a jewellers, a greetings card shop, an independent brewer, a bakers – all it needs is a candlestick maker and it would have been like a scene from the 19th century.
I popped into the card store which as well as some unusual cards you just don't see in the likes of Clintons or Hallmark there were a whole host of nick nacks on offer. Similarly, the jewellery business round the corner was packed with strange and obscure pieces you wouldn't get over the counter at H Samuel. And shock horror, the owner behind the counter was more than willing to have a chat.
The long awaited report released last year by the Competition Commission tells us that small businesses are not suffering at the hands of the UK's supermarket giants. SME lobby groups – and me for that matter - were after 18 months of waiting disgusted at the Commission's conclusion. "Small independent retailers are closing at a rate of 2,000 per year and you've only got to walk down your local high street to see the evidence," proclaimed Clive Davenport from the Federation of Small Businesses.
So why is North Street in Bristol bucking the trend? It's no coincidence that the area is thriving with small businesses which are not part of large, corporate chains. The reason is because people are demanding something different away from the samey chains and the local council clearly supports their demands.
A few roads up on East Street, the area is packed with familiar names you can see almost anywhere in the UK – Argos, Asda, Wilkinsons. Yet, walk down North Street and despite the local Budgens, Threshers and a couple of banks most of the stores appear to be independent.
Maybe that's the answer to the march of the corporate giants. Create specific areas within each and every city and town in the UK where only independent companies are allowed to open. North Street has managed to encourage lots of independent businesses in one area so why can't others? Yes, the 24-hour Asda round the corner stocks everything I could possibly need but popping into the bakers, grocers and gift shop on North Street and having a chat to the entrepreneur behind the counter is a so much more pleasurable experience.
I originally wrote this blog post for www.BusinessZone.co.uk
Comments
The difference between East Street and North Street is noticeable. I've often thought that it could be the loss of jobs once the factories round East St closed, and what we got in their place. Perhaps the reason North Street seems to be doing well is because there's room for lots of independents up there, they're not choked by the whole 'High Street, Anywhere' problem we have on East Street?
By WindmillMan at 14:13 on 17/08/09
ReportI hope you're right and it is the start of the independent traders making a comeback.
The sad thing is that included in your list are bakers and butchers, which used to be staples of any 'High Street'. Now they're something to wonder at, and feel really lucky about. I actually live at the other end of Bedminster, but make the effort to go to the North Street shops whenever possible.
I'm not sure why North Street has thrived where East Street has declined. I had put it down to the presence of Asda, and worry about whether a Tesco at Ashton Gate would have the same effect on North Street. But you have a point when you say that it's about what people want. The problem usually is that people protest about the likes of Tesco threatening their local shops, then once it arrives, flock there in their thousands and abandon the local traders to their fate. In which case, they have no-one else to blame for what they then end up with, a dead High Street.
I wonder whether greater numbers of people are gradually realising that the Tescos and Asdas of this world are never going to provide the quality of goods that can be found at some independent shops; I also wonder if people are re-discovering that where you live is what you make it - and if you don't want to live in a soulless suburb, you have to put something into it. You'll never get the same 'feelgood' factor about using Tesco. Tesco isn't about community; independent traders are. Rant over!!
By Mrs_W2009 at 21:09 on 14/08/09
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