Well, that escalated quickly!

TomH - where has the Italian Deli posted for itself? Are you suggesting that hellohello is actually the Italian Deli? Seems unlikely for a forum member who has been here for 5 years and has posted 40 times. But maybe you know something I don't.

Pauline - so sorry to hear your shop was attacked. You were quite right to report a trading standards infraction to the proper authorities. Not sure it was entirely necessary to report it here too, though. It's easy to make assumptions about anonymous postings online. Sometimes those assumptions are right, sometimes they are wrong.

If the Italian Deli has to change their lovely handwritten shop sign to remove the word 'handmade' that will be a blow to their reputation, especially for a new business. If they want to compete with our excellent existing businesses, they need to be above board and really offer something different. Competition is good for local trade if it raises standards and offers real choice.