The state of many of our high streets is a sad sight to see. Diverse and distinctive high streets that once bustled with activity have given way to gambling establishments, chain pubs, fast food or charity shops, or, otherwise, are standing empty. In some cases, you can almost see the tumbleweed rolling down the middle of the high street. The lifeblood of the high street is footfall and convenience. Pedestrianisation of high streets sounds like a nice idea, but it drives passing trade off the high street. People have busy lives and don’t have the time to pay and display and then keep an eye on the time in case they overrun and get a fine.

To compound matters, local authorities continue to allow supermarkets to be built just off the high street, sometimes adjacent to new off-high-street car parks, sucking the regular custom away from the high streets. Who can blame customers, though, for going to the supermarket, which won’t make them pay for parking or fine them if they take a bit too much time spending money in their store? A combination of pedestrianisation, car park charges and supermarkets has effectively starved local high streets of customers.