Long live our Battle High Street

From: Simon Alexander, Netherfield Hill, Battle
Abbey Green and High Street in Battle SUS-200610-153053001Abbey Green and High Street in Battle SUS-200610-153053001
Abbey Green and High Street in Battle SUS-200610-153053001

Battle has been my home town for almost eighty years and the High Street is a familiar place. Architecturally it has changed little but there has been a continual evolvement in content.

Fashions change and businesses come and go but life goes on. I set out on a shopping trip last week to visit, amongst other shops, a large supermarket but on reaching the roundabout at the north end of town I changed my plans. Why not, I thought, do all my shopping in Battle? I did not regret it.

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For many years there have been attempts to move the hub of the High Street from the south to the north. With the very much regretted passing on of the Post Office from Abbey Green a few years ago that strategy is now starting to occur. Excellent cafes are gathered around the Green whilst further up we have the food shops: a greengrocer, two butchers, a fishmonger, a beer shop, a bakery and also a restaurant. All these businesses are there for a reason and that reason must be because they see trade being sustained: all have adapted to the current circumstances and some include home deliveries.

Let us hope that this renaissance of Battle High Street continues so that more of us can do the bulk of our shopping locally.

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