Seems to me that town centre retail/planning strategy is mad. I hadn't realised it was so difficult for shops, but it explains so many empty units (though that can't be great for landlords' income...).

Every time a new residential building goes up, what do the planners demand? More retail units. So the new flats opposite FH station have (empty) retail units. The new Greyhound dvelopment in Sydenham has more retail units. Meanwhile both FH and Sydenham are blighted by old empty shops, and families and young people struggle to find accommodation they can afford.

OK rant over, but is it just me who thinks this is a crazy state of affairs?