Hi, thanks for the vid. We are considering the Island as somewhere to move to, so this vid is very useful. Apropos shops - yes and no. On the mainland, especially in the English north and midlands, there are zillions of empty shops. But even in areas of Hampshire (and many other places) I would say that, on a cursory glance (ie unscientific) Freshwater has a much lower ratio of disused shops. Of course compared to the "old days" - say 1960s-1970s - there are a lot and, when charity shops are added to that tally - far more than there used to was. (Yes, I know charity shops are very useful - I use them - but they do occupy units previously occupied by more traditional shops, hence worth counting in that traditional decline). Also, in Freshwater, you do not seem to have the plethora of estate agents, betting shops and so on - many of your shops are real local retail businesses. I also noticed Sainsbury's Local, Co-Op grocery and Boots Chemist - national chains with a presence. Plus an ASDA home delivery van. (Old Codger Mode: Actually, your tour reminded me of a village / small town I spent many summer childhoods in, back in the 1960s/70s - Poynton in Cheshire. I think much of the mainland has lost that feel). So a really interesting and helpful video, thank you.
Always great to see Freshwater in spite of changes.memories don't change
I remember staying in the pub opposite the 'Sainsbury local'. I am just curious to how long it has been closed?
A trip down memory lane.
Hi, thanks for the vid. We are considering the Island as somewhere to move to, so this vid is very useful. Apropos shops - yes and no. On the mainland, especially in the English north and midlands, there are zillions of empty shops. But even in areas of Hampshire (and many other places) I would say that, on a cursory glance (ie unscientific) Freshwater has a much lower ratio of disused shops. Of course compared to the "old days" - say 1960s-1970s - there are a lot and, when charity shops are added to that tally - far more than there used to was. (Yes, I know charity shops are very useful - I use them - but they do occupy units previously occupied by more traditional shops, hence worth counting in that traditional decline). Also, in Freshwater, you do not seem to have the plethora of estate agents, betting shops and so on - many of your shops are real local retail businesses. I also noticed Sainsbury's Local, Co-Op grocery and Boots Chemist - national chains with a presence. Plus an ASDA home delivery van. (Old Codger Mode: Actually, your tour reminded me of a village / small town I spent many summer childhoods in, back in the 1960s/70s - Poynton in Cheshire. I think much of the mainland has lost that feel). So a really interesting and helpful video, thank you.
Thank you for the walk xxx
Great video do you line on the island? Where abouts
Also my mum was born in freshwater,
I live here