Though I think that Anotherjohn makes a good point I do also feel that times change and once the shops are gone they are gone forever. I think that times past, an awful decision was made to convert shops to residential - any way to prevent a repeat of that would be good.

I notice that there is a way to protect the shops in the consultation document - via a Conservation Area. I think that this would have other planning benefits too. I for one would be in favour of this - if you look at old photos of the parade (there is an excellent one in the chippy), it was very attractive indeed.

HOPcat, as I can't really predict when we will make an impulse purchase, am more inclined to wait and see whether the new Sainsburys brings the footfall I am expecting. This will be much clearer evidence of business opportunity to the other shops IMO.