Star comment: Future is bright for economy

While many towns and cities around the UK appear to be in terminal decline as the Death of the High Street continues, Shropshire is bucking the trend.

Rather than our town centres being full of empty units and estate agent hoardings, they are populated with entrepreneurial types who are pursuing their passion for retail.

Having a broad base of independents and chains serves Shropshire well. Its retail sector encompasses the large corporations which dominated Southwater, in Telford, for instance, as well as the small one-man bands that spring up in Ellesmere, Much Wenlock or Ludlow. The retail sector is based upon Boots, WH Smith and JD Sports – but the family companies, business partnerships and independent retailers also flourish.

It says much for Shropshire's sense of purpose that it can make good at a time when the nation is continuing to emerge from a dreadfully long recession. And it also says a lot for the strength of character of independent businesses, who make a living while competing not only against bigger retailers but also against the might of the internet.

UK shoppers now spend more than £100 billion per year online and as smart phones, tablets and similar devices become ever-more-prevalent, that figure will rise.

However, big businesses and online giants like Amazon can never replicate the one important quality that is available on every High Street in Shropshire: great customer service.

Putting the customer first, tracing that hard-to-find product, offering a personal service and going the extra mile to make sure things arrive on time and in good order is one of the qualities that sets local retailers apart.

And with that in mind, perhaps it is no real surprise that Shropshire is bucking the trend and its town centres remain vibrant and alive.

One of Shropshire's many endearing facets is that it does not always embrace change for change's sake. The county seems to have an 'if-it-isn't-broke-don't-fix-it' mentality and so in Ludlow, for instance, it still has a traditional hardware shop.

Shropshire is entrepreneurial, dynamic and clever. While High Streets elsewhere might struggle, the future remains bright for local market towns.