I see on the BBC news website there's a Devon story about independent Bideford traders having a tough time. Some have said they may have to close their shops after Christmas if business does not pick up between now and then. The big threat is the large retailers out of town.

Also The Journal ran a piece a few weeks ago encouraging us in Barnstaple to use our little local shops more than we do. I think this is really important up to Christmas as its a key time in the year for businesses to make money to survive..

Events like the Barnstaple Pannier Market Foodfest the other day serve to show us what wonderfully innovative and creative little businesses we are fortunate to have in this region with all they can offer us.

Let's all make an effort to explore the multitude of interesting little shops and services when we are hunting for Christmas prezzies over the next couple of months rather than just continually hitting one-stop-shop chain stores.

It's nice to have something different to what other people are buying and only takes a bit more effort to spread your expenditure on Christmas between different businesses when you are out and about in the town.

Otherwise it could be a case of 'use it or lose it'.

I'm sure none of us want that.