Metropol

Martin Phillp wrote: Wed 24 Dec, 2025 21.40 One of the reasons why lockers have become popular in recent years. My newsagent has an InPost locker alongside the Tesco Express down the road, plus they're outside so have the convenience factor of being able to collect or drop a parcel after trading hours.

Going back to the "dodgy" shops that have sprung up. One locally opened as a PC/Mobile phone repair store, but is full of vapes on the shelves inside.

I use lockers all the time for convenience, but I wouldn't exactly describe them as secure:
https://www.suffolkgazette.com/crowbar- ... mas-gifts/

It's Royal Mail/Vinted/Ebay/whoever's problem after I drop it off and get my receipt. Same would apply to a £1000 MacBook and Apple.

On the High Street a large furniture shop in my home town closed a couple years ago. The first and second floors are currently being converted into flats. The ground floor was split into six units of varying size.

All these shop units have now been occupied, and I think it's fair to say that all but one arguably fit the stereotype.
- Dog grooming
- Mini-mart
- Nail salon
- Barbers
- Phone repair
- Sweets & vapes

I'm sure HMRC (and other authorities) should consider leasing the apartments above for a sting, I can't imagine it won't be long before something unusual is found. I've noticed a lot of competition in the town I'm in for barbers and nail salons, a lot of them have sprung up.
I've always wondered also who the market is for these phone and vape shops, they very often have tons of phones in the window but they (unsurpsingly) never seem to shift.

There’s a shop near me that seemed to start off dodgy (bright LED signs, lots of obscure sweets, vapes, bottles of alcopops, brand new Mercedes parked outside all the time etc) but, I think it must have actually done well as a shop as it’s recently turned into a OneStop and now sells a better range of stuff (with the same people running it).

Happy to report that the row of shops near me, of which there are literally at most 12 or so, a fourth barbers shop has opened.

If it’s legit (although every time I’ve walked past so far it’s been empty), what would be the logic of choosing that location?

all new Phil wrote: Sat 07 Feb, 2026 20.23 Happy to report that the row of shops near me, of which there are literally at most 12 or so, a fourth barbers shop has opened.

If it’s legit (although every time I’ve walked past so far it’s been empty), what would be the logic of choosing that location?

What you’ve got there Phil is a barbershop quartet. TSK at you for not noticing.