When we talk about our dying High Streets...they say we are against progress.
It is blatant greed that promotes Americanized shopping systems such as Westwood Cross Mall. While the numbered few profit from such an idiotic style of shopping, masses of people lose their costumers and businesses, poverty and unemployment goes up and the competitive mentality which is the major factor of breaking 'communities' becomes stronger.
WHY?
People are brainwashed to a certain standard (often one that they CAN'T afford) and this consumerist paradigm unchecked, makes them not bother about the local produce, the local farm, the local craftster. Everyone lives the American Dream...in debt.
I personally have only been to Westwood cross 2/3 times, and each time it was with other friends who wanted to go there...I have not bought anything there.
It is becoming harder and harder to find authentic local shops and produce. I persevere...however to buy local..and promote local.
I can't really tell people what to do...but I hoped people realise that if we don't support Westwood Cross, we have supported our local shops. It is only a matter of discernment.
I really would like to know why our council has allowed such massacre of local shops...who is responsible for this...I am sure they are very rich for their crime.
BUY LOCAL!!! (Its better for your health anyway!)
While we are on the subject, please check these two articles...I am sure it will pique your interest:
Like you I don't go to Westwood Cross - I think I've only been twice since it opened and that was because i was looking for a present for somebody else. I do not like shopping malls anyway but to build one without a roof seemed to me insane. It is one of the windiest coldest parts of the island - I know because i used to work at Saga nearby. I try and shop only in Ramsgate and without a car seldom go to any of the out of town supermarkets either. At least Ramsgate still has a decent butcher, greengrocer, fishmongers and bakers but we could do with another shoe shop now that Newmans has closed