Like many other local people I am saddened to hear that Quality Save in Stalybridge faces likely closure. It is a favourite of my family as well as countless others, and I feel for all the workers, shoppers and neighbouring businesses affected.

There’s no beating around the bush, there are clearly massive problems with high streets across the country. This summer has seen the very sad collapse of Wilkos, a company a great many of us will miss enormously. Part of this comes down to a system of business rates which us just not fair when considered against the taxation of online transactions. Labour nationally are reviewing the whole system and believe significant change is required.

As well as that, we need a better mix to residential, leisure and and retail in all our town centres, with significantly more living in them. There’s no magic wand, but our regeneration plans for both Hyde and Stalybridge (which I wrote about here a few columns ago) incorporate these best attempts to create vibrant towns people want to live, work, shop and eat in.

There are some green shoots of fresh innovation to be celebrated (Giuseppe’s Sicilian bistro and Nonna’s are among the latest lovely new businesses to open in Stalybridge) alongside the deep sadness we all feel when favourite chains or shops go under (and don’t get me started on the banks).

In terms of Quality Save, I have made representations to the owners and am pleased at least to have reassurance from the Operations Director that staff will be offered work from nearby branches of Home Bargains if able.

For disappointed Staly shoppers, of course Savers remains in business with an overlap of certain products, not to mention independent shops like Stalybridge Pets & Equine Supplies for all those of you who currently use Quality Save for pet supplies, Say Cheese for your deli goods, My Wendy House for all your birthday and celebration needs, Boults for meat, and of course 5 A Day Stalybridge for fresh your fresh fruit and veg, amid a much wider number of excellent local independent shops and businesses.

Some of our Staly town centre family favourites are Magpies Nest, Florence & Amelia’s, Gladstone’s, Ol’s Bier and Industry, all lovely businesses we are proud to bring visiting friends and colleagues to, alongside Gracie’s in Hyde, the Gillery in Mossley, Bee’s Coffee Pot in Harrop Edge and many many more.

Please be assured there is serious thought going into an alternative vision for reclaiming high streets as the beating heart of our communities and our economy in a digital age. The challenges are considerable but in a world where time is precious and everyone is more carbon conscious, I truly believe having thriving and characterful high streets within walking distance of many people’s homes is a necessary ambition.