I can well remember the happy days when my local county town had so much to offer in the way of independent department stores to add to the plethora of existing high street names.  In those days you could never imagine a high street without woolworths, debenhams, british home storers, timothy whites etc.   We had all of those plus the wholly private family owned stores from way back in the previous century.  I have dealings with many very old gentle folk who have known the town and its environs all their lives and the heartbreak involved when yet another favourite store closes its doors for the last time is palpable.   These are the very folk who want to shop and spend their ready money but because they are not so savvy when it comes to online purchases, they just muddle through.    The online stores are fantastic and you cvan get absolutely anything your heart desires, which is wonderful but it is pretty cold and not at all warm and personal.