THE future of Alton's High Street is ringing alarm bells, not just among retailers but the pub and restaurant trade, as the changing dynamics look to threaten livelihoods and limit the attraction of the town.

With shops closing due to unsustainable rent and rate increases, and competition from larger chain store venues, the fear among retailers is that the town is being taken over by service providers and charity shops.

But, unless it is in the right place and of the right kind, new trade is not necessarily welcome, as the Licensed Victuallers Association has made clear in its response to news that JD Wetherspoon is looking at a large site in Alton which, pub owners believe, could knock out their trade.

For the full story see this week's Alton Herald