That is because when people gototheshops and supermarkets now they prefer to bring their own re-useable bags rather than pay the equivalent of 19p that each plastic bag costs.
Our small home encourages us togo outside and talk tothe neighbors, go on hikes and meet people, goto coffee shops and restaurants, the library, the gym etc.
They enter theshopsto buy things or gotothe town hall to handle administrative matters or eat a meal at the hotel restaurant or drink beer at the tavern and sing lively cat songs.
Unless its voters and its new mayor can lift themselves above the fight for individual corner shops, it risks becoming merely a cosy resort where the new economy's manic entrepreneurs goto drink their over-engineered coffee.