Another thread mentioning Bromyard, made me wonder what it is that attracts the rural and farming person to shop there.

What is it about your own town that attracts you?

Absolootly nothing! exept the gun shop.

Our local Market town is a pleasing mixture of Charity shops and whitewashed window empty ones, with a sprinkling of large supermarkets, intent on the complete distruction of the small shop keeper.

The people. In my lifetime I have seen my town go from 1200 people to 900, and lose nearly every business, save the banks, one grocery store and the elevator.  We do have a convenience store and a couple other little shops, and a doctor.  But, the people(who often I am disgusted with) are the best in the world.  You learn that everytime there is a "crisis".  There is no better place to live than small town America.  Any one of you Brits could wander lost into our town where no one knew you, with nothing, and get fed and your situation figured out in a day.  Good people in middle America, very good people.

Just going back to Bromyard; There are a number of vacant shops in the town but the local History Society use them as exhibits and furnish them with period room scenes. Cheers the place up no end!