It is also very important to note that the independent shops in east dulwich and stokey were built on ten years of boom. That boom is over. Whether we like it or not, independents will have a tougher time finding the financing to launch a new shop and will have to work harder to make it work. I'd love a street filled with lovely independent shops selling all I'll ever need, but that's an aspirational fantasy circa 2004. The reality is our high street is dying and we need investors - independent, chain or otherwise.