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Butchers, bakers and (lots of) candlestick makers |
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Page 1 of 4 The conventional wisdom is that independent shops in Sevenoaks are closing and being replaced by restaurants and cafés.
Most people remember Outrams, the old-fashioned sports and leather goods retailer that gave way to Loch Fyne. Walk down the High Street any morning and it’s clear that serving up pizzas, lattes and espressos to Sevenoaks café society is now big business.
Though nobody on either side of the counter speaks a word of Italian, business is thriving. Despite high rents, most independent shop owners are surviving against stiff competition from chains, supermarkets and out-of-town destinations such as Bluewater.
Rather than butchers and bakers selling daily essentials, these are the candlestick makers – the shops who offer the chance to buy something that’s a little bit different.
John Morrison went to meet them • Portraits by Russell Harper www.harperphotography.co.uk
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Last Updated ( Friday, 04 April 2008 )
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