Why should you care?
Holmfirth has managed to remain a real and functioning town in the face of increasing retail homogenisation. This makes Holmfirth a true rarity. Most towns are now “clone towns” with the same retail faces lining the high street offering the same goods.
The people who live in Holmfirth and the town’s many visitors value the special sort of service independant retailers can offer. The small “quaint” shops provide a meeting places and allow people to take their time. They can also go “the extra mile” to make sure their customers get what they want.
If chain stores or large out of town superstores move in the diversity and special character of Holmfirth would be gone forever. Small independent shops would close in the face of severe undercutting and lack of footfall. Once the small shops close, the support services [accountants, decorators etc ] feel the squeeze too.
Once this begins to happen there is no way back. Holmfirth would be changed forever.
Every resident has their own reasons for living and staying in Holmfirth. For you it may be the countryside or the community. Read about the things we love about Holmfirth here. However, whatever Holmfirth means to you it is probable that the loss of the small, independant shops would impact your town irreversably. As a community we need to look closely what needs to be done to ensure that the features of the town that we value remain and thrive.
