In 2008 our "Hearts & Soles" project sent letters to every shop in the High Street, and a few other businesses, asking if they would write a short history of their store but were disappointed that only four replied. One of our team recorded the High Street in 2008 and took photographs in 2009, during a period of unemployment (happily now working). We will eventually present the photographs along with brief history or notes about some of the businesses. In the meantime we have linked exisiting webpages to the list of Local Businesses in 2009.

The two above major retailers have recently closed down and many of the High Street shops have changed hands since the list was drawn up. A few new ones have come and gone, and in the current economic depression it is likely more will cease trading.

Like so many towns, out of town developments with national retailers has taken trade from the small High Street stores.