Cultural Differences

It's only when you see another way of doing things that you begin to question the merits of the system you currently work within.

Whilst away on holiday I visited a place in America called Cape Cod. It's located on the coast of Massachusetts and is made up of lots of little towns, about twelve in total. Venturing into one of these little towns I was struck almost immediately by something.

In this bustling town centre with flocks of holiday makers and locals out on the streets enjoying the sun and the breeze there wasn't a single Starbucks or Macdonalds or Gap or indeed any chain store whatsoever.

These places were notable by their absence . Insead there was streets full of small independent shops, some good and some bad, all with their own identity and all being allowed to thrive without the presence of chain stores.

I don't know the ins and out of Cape Cod trade and industry policy but I do know that no chain stores is the result of a conscious decision by the community of the Cape implemented by its councils and its legislation.

Chain stores simply are not allowed in this small tourist driven region and the result is that visitors are offered something different, something that they can't get from 'Anywhere, USA'. Likewise the businesses of Cape Cod are supported in their local enterprises and residents can lay claim to a town with a rich unique identity.

I'm not arguing for the break up of all big business, there is a demand for what chain stores offer and they do what they do very well. Global production has its place but should it come at the expense of all locally made or nationally made goods?

All big chains started back at day 1 as small businesses. The danger of not protecting small towns from an influx of Costa Coffees and Subways is that the small town becomes no different and certainly no better than the big city centre. Worse than that there is no opportunity for new small businesses to establish themselves in town centres that continually hike up rents allowing only charity shops and landlords to capitalise.

Local councils should want to encourage local enterprise, especially, as is the case with Cape Cod, if it encourages tourism. If our small town centres gained a reputation for unique shops and through advertising campaigns locals were encouraged to shop locally, the results would be two complimentary types of shopping: the city centre for chains and the local town for something a bit different.

I know that isn't how it is at the moment and I don't understand why that isn't what we're trying to establish. Why aren't people encouraged to shop locally? Why aren't small businesses offfered discounted rates? Why isn't the council building the town centre into something residents are proud of and which will attract tourists?

If there are reasons why, then hit me with them because I can't understand it.

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