Most of us came here in late sixties and early seventies from East Africa when these British colonies gained independence. It was booming Britain with plentiful employment for everyone, even our ladies who could not speak much English, as manufacturing industries were crying for labour, especially in garments manufacturing.
One pleasure was shopping on our High Streets with stores like Woolworth, Co-op, BHS, Marks and Spencer and many more present on practically every High Street, giving employment to our girls and boys, especially with week-end jobs to supplement their meagre weekly allowance from their parents.
House prices were unbelievable. We purchased our first home in East London for £4000 in 1968. Now it would cost much more to carpet the house or install central heating! Advent of “Online Shopping” has turned our once flourishing High Streets into a waste land. Woolworth, BHS have disappeared from our high streets and many famous names like Mark & Spencer, House of Frasers, B & Q and many more will drastically reduce their presence in town center. The only shops flourishing on High Streets are Betting, Gambling, Loan Sharks and few restaurants which, instead of providing employment, spread gambling addiction, creating family break-ups.
Fortunately Government has realized the harm it causes and will soon pass legislation reducing the stake from £100 to just £2. This will dramatically reduce such gambling outlets. No wonder gambling giants are crying foul, warning government of mass unemployment in the industry, with closure of thousands of High Street shops.
But these are crocodile tears and I hope it will not influence the government to give in to this black mail, as the gaming industry causes so much misery to ordinary people. Chancellor’s announcement that High Street shops are at a disadvantage with unfair competition from online giants like Amazon who pay little tax, he will redress the balance and provide a level playing field.
Bhupendra M. Gandhi
By email
