The most obvious impact of the recession for many people has been in the high street - the 'broken teeth' of empty shops and closing-down sales. Despite the sense of decline this brings to town centres, the fall of Woolworths and other high-profile chains represents an important and positive opportunity for communities. Instead of refilling all of the 800 Woolworths shop premises with yet another of the familiar chains which can be found in the streets of every town in the UK, we believe there is the opportunity now to do things differently. This is a chance to help remake high streets in a way which will genuinely support communities, both financially for businesses and by providing an often, much-needed sense of local identity, to put some individual character back into local areas. We propose that the former Woolworths' stores be converted into modern market halls. These would be owned and controlled by groups at a local level, providing space and support for locally-grown produce and locally-produced goods or services. The first occupants would, naturally, be local farmers, who presently have to resort to irregular opportunities to sell their produce from makeshift market stalls, contending with all weathers in windswept car parks.
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