It’s sad seeing that we’re not the only place having our last day open today. These are hard times for little places. I felt compelled to write this cautionary poem.
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Don’t just sit at home and think
How nice indie places are
Go in and have a drink
Chuck some cash across the bar.

Give small shops and great nonprofits
Some of your hard earned money
Or the high streets will only be chains – which really won’t be funny.

It ain’t enough to say you think
What we’re doing is really great,
You have to walk in the front door
And maybe bring some mates.

It will suck when online shops
And places to buy vapes
Are all you have, and gone are all
Our vibrant cityscapes.

It’s easily avoided, little places don’t need much
Just get yourself there once a month
And try to stay in touch.

But don’t just sit on Facebook
They can’t pay rent with ‘likes’
Go buy stuff, that is how this works
So come on – on yer bikes.

– Jez Franck 16/3/24