Stourport shops

One of the nice things about being driven rather than driving (a disadvantage of not drinking) is that you get to look around at what's going on. To this end I confirmed that the Hollybush in Mitton Street is boarded-up and that the Sweet Jar in Bridge Street has a "Sweet Shop for Sale" sign in the door. I say confirmed as I'd been told about this before, but hadn't had chance to confirm them despite the reliable nature of the sources.

The Holly bush is a surprise, but the rumour has it that it's the same cause as the Rose and Crown in Shrawley -

"Hi run this pub and get a special introductory offer"
"The offer's run out we're doubling your rent and putting a premium on your barrelage... oh you're leaving. Hi run this pub and get a..."

As for the Sweet Jar, well as the owner's said many a time he's on the wrong side of the road; indeed the driver I was with remarked "What sweet shop?" as I made a passing remark and then "Oh yeah" as he had to be reminded of its existence.

Anyway this drive also took us to the Crossley Retail Park in Kidderminster with someone who didn't drive there. As such I was full of helpful advice such as "You might want to get into the right-hand lane as you approach this island" and "You need to get into the right-hand lane on this stretch then when it splits in two get into the left-hand part". Coming out he decided to turn right "Stay in the middle lane" I told him.
"But the right-hand-turn is the other lane" he replied "this is a straight on"
"It's also a right-turn further along and after you turn right you'll want to go straight at the island and that means being in the left-hand lane"
"How the hell would I know that?"

Yes my point exactly for the whole trip. His point was that the entire estate was in the wrong place and shouldn't exist if it wasn't for the Health Concern lot.

Travelling along the Bewdley Road he cursed the state of the road "And that's why I go the other way" I told him. He also cursed the state of the Stour bridge in Stourport which really is getting much worse. However he praised the refurbished building on the bridge asking "Why can't they get them to do up the rest of Stourport?"

Anyhoo we've lost Woolworths, it looks like we may lose the Sweet Jar, if Tesco builds the Co-op says it might close, we're probably losing Lloyds Garage, and I've lost count of the number of charity shops - is there any reason to shop in Stourport anymore, will there be in the future?