It's called Fruits and Root and is typical of the shops in these small towns. But, as an ex retailer myself, I know of the problems faced by local shops. Ever increasing costs threaten to drive them off our streets, which would be a tragedy. My earlier posts tell of our holiday to the USA, a time which was much enjoyed by Hazel and I. The USA is a great place with all kinds of delights, but they have very few town centres to rival ours here in the UK - and especially in the Borders. Let's not kid ourselves that they are invulnerable, they can be destroyed in a way that is more effective than anything achieved in the past by marauding bands of Border Reivers. What can we do? Well, a reduction in ridiculously high business rates would be a good place to start!
