I FELT I had to put pen to paper in defence of the humble shopkeeper in reply to Nick Nunn’s Wednesday column (LT, January 27).

The much maligned small shopkeeper has surely adapted extremely well under great duress from all sides.

Many shops are ‘one man bands’ or family run, without the might and millions of big names behind them.

It is precisely the issues of internet shopping and supermarket domination/ monopoly that have made trading such a nightmare.

Add to this minimum wage and employment restraints, increasing overheads and squeezed profit margins in difficult trading conditions, it’s a wonder any shops have survived at all.

We trade in Clitheroe where small shops are the delight of the high street – interesting colourful, offering lots of choice with dedicated shopkeepers vying to tempt you in and genuinely concerned about your purchases!

Yes I agree, businesses exist to serve, but don’t forget shop-keepers are human too and would like a few hours with their families, recharging their batteries etc.

MARY BRASS, Banana News, Castle Street, Clitheroe.