THE saying “a nation of shopkeepers” is attributed to Napoleon. From 1960 and up to turn of the turn of the century, York was awash with small independent shops and staffed by mostly well versed people who offered good advice regarding their produce and, as such, sold themselves as much as their produce.

As the smaller shops closed to be taken over by their local and larger competitors, they still retained good staff to an extent.

In a popular tourist location, the nationwide big boys of the shopping world then took an interest in our high street and bought into the city, and we lost the pleasantries from our shopping.

One of the last bastions of pleasant traditional shopping has after 59 years called it a day. Thank you, Bulmers. I for one feel sad for your passing.

DM Deamer, Monkgate, York