15th May - keeping the independents going (Patreon)

We had some sad news in Sant Pere de Ribes in that the amazing baker just off the main square closed down. It was really odd but as it was so busy and people used to come from all around.

And the other day the bookshop had signs saying it was closing down too. I was devastated to read this as this shop is so gorgeous inside and out.

These signs now seem to have come down so we are hoping that their fortunes have changed somehow.

In England because of business rates lots of smaller independent shops are really struggling and closing down - especially bookshops - which is really sad. One of the things I love about Spain is that it’s like England was 40 years ago with lots of independent shops still. For example I think in this small town we have at least 3 fishmongers and lots of tiny little shops including a sewing shop. Yet in Cambridge where we lived before I think we only had one independent fishmonger despite it being way bigger.

I do hope that it remains this way in Spain with vibrant independent stores though it is worrying when things close down. I do hope that baker opens again soon - though bizarrely we do have 4 or 5 at least in the rest of the town so maybe it was a different reason it shut.

Ps I did buy a Spanish history book to support the bookshop - and to try and support my language skills!

How are independent shops going where you are ?  I think it varies a lot around the world.