It's probably high rents which cause the real damage to this parade of shops to be honest. As you know the forces of demand and supply set prices but I am not sure if the retail tenants are left with much once they are done with the rent and other business operating costs... I have always assumed this is why prices at Hills & Parkes and Jumping Bean are a bit on the "I saw you coming" side! I reckon high rents are probably the biggest single barrier which prevent true entrepreneurs from thriving and meeting the demands of those on this forum who clearly express a desire to shop locally.

As things are meant to be on the up generally now would be a good time to start a business (compared with a few years ago) so hopefully the landlords can pull their collective fingers out.

Not sure why we have multiple sub-standard mini-marts and take-aways in the parade in the meantime though - that is indeed a mystery to me. Perhaps they have some special deal with the landlords or other ways of generating wealth that is not immediately obvious - in any event I am really struggling to understand what their actual business model is. Perhaps they are on ten year leases with a few years left to run?

Anyway, you only have to look at other areas to see what we could have and I am sure over time this will all sort itself out - these things always do. The business rental market can sometimes take ages to move with the times and stabilise on price but hopefully the landlords of these shops can come to an agreement with viable local businesses that can positively impact the community rather than leave the premises vacant for ages, or rent out to businesses that local people don't want.