It is all very sad... 
I love walking around a town , especially in new places that I visit..
Looking in shop windows and seeing a variety of different shops..
Unfortunately shops have dwindled down.. many closing..
Covid can not take the full blame.. Councils are greedy .. and shoplifting is rife..
Causing many small shops to close down
Napoleon Bonaparte described this country  'A Nation of shopkeepers '
... unfortunately ... no more...

Yep, totally agree with that. Dog walkers here are pretty hot on that, they think nothing of tackling (usually tourists) someone if they see them. No bags is an excuse that's no good as everyone carries extra poo bags and will hand over one. I still do.

From local NextDoor...

Small independents would never compete. Not on price and not on presence. Far too easy to just look on Amazon..

That retail park is in two parts. On the other part the old Comet store ended up as Dunelm but I think it was something else between. That was set fire to by some kids. They only managed to nail one of them and he is waiting trial. A whole row of shops is closed and it is now partially demolished. They seem to be taking their time. It will be costing millions.

I think if I owned a shop these days I'd be thinking about closing it and moving online. 

Morning, Not too bad here at the moment, sunny intervals and the usual Caithness Wind, but not too windy.
Out for lunch with the girls today, heading over to Wick for that, then a mooch round the Garden Centre afterwards.

Hope they get you sorted Mups.

Definitely colder today. Heating back on. Mind you I knew it was coming. I had my solar pagoda running. I messed up on the cable needed. It's connected but too short to make tidy so more is coming and I'll replace that run. The app is crap and I'm still waiting on the key I need to control it more automatically with home assistant.

We always tip for good service if out for dinner, and if out for lunch with my girlfriends. However if asked for a tip I say no, if they ask they don't get. I refuse to give anything to people pestering at shop doors.
I do tip my hairdresser well as she comes to the house and she makes a good job of cutting my long mane, also she makes a great job of putting Viking Plait styles into my hair if it's a special occasion. That's something I simply can't do myself, and I love them.

That randy old Alan is a bugger
More than just a friendly hugger
Got an eye out for crumpet -
Or any old strumpet
He especially likes them dressed in rubber

Alan was on the pull one night
He saw a lass who would delight