High Streets for All

Joseph C I agree. Ultimately, these make the communities. I feel particularly strongly about the pubs. Where I grew up outside of London, even with small population, there was a pub every 5-10 minute walk to serve those in the immediate surrounding roads/neighbourhoods. They were the focal point of any community. Pubs perhaps have a reputation for being loud and roudy, but the pubs I grew up in were family friendly and crucial for local community, steeped in local history. Not everyone is an alcoholic but they still go to socialise and meet neighbours. It's that interaction we're missing. If anything, it is more acceptable thesedays to have not a strong drink or non-alcoholic beverage in a pub - and with good food. Such a shame that thesedays most pubs are actually pub chains (an oxymoron I think) and ran at a such a small margin, with many now relying on food income or the tourist trade to keep them open. They should stay open for the sake of community with local government support. Bring back the days when everyone knew their landlord's name and the landlord knew the names (and stories) of all their customers! I know London is heavily populated, but that is simply the case for more of these establishments. Managed well with local support, they can overcome their sad negative reputation and do good for the local areas - as well as maintain the fantastic history London has hidden.