[QUOTE=dalej42]
Do you vote Labour?
[/QUOTE]
Over my dead body! The only problem with this approach is that I have to vote Tory!
Our local MP is a “Blair’s Babe” though.
[QUOTE=C3]
Do you have a really good local you hang out at? Do you ever get a mysterious tourist there for a walking tour who ends up dead on the moors?
[/QUOTE]
The local is very good for atmosphere (five dogs, eccentric landlord, open fire)… not so much for beer - actually as a CAMRA member I miss proper beer.
It wouldn’t suprise me if we have had a tourist ending up dead on teh moors. We’re in the middle of rambling country and in winter the hills can be deadly (but only to an idiot dressed in shorts, they’re hardly the Andes!)
[QUOTE=Leaper]
I read in another thread that stores in your neck of the woods generally close by 5:30. What are the generally accepted reasons for this (there are many, I’m sure, but I’m asking for the intent behind it)? Does it really foster family togetherness, or does it just result in a lot of bored people and TV watching? How do people get important shopping done when so many work? Or is there a lot less working in families over there than here?
[/QUOTE]
Town centre shops generally close at 5:30 or 6:00. Retail park stores (strip malls) are generally open until 8:00. Large supermarkets are often open 24 hours, or until 10:00. So, most things you can shop for after work. Oh, and local convenience stores are usually open until 10:00pm or 11:00pm.
Where are you located and is my credit good for a case of Guinness and a few bottles of Jack Daniels 'til I get my dole money 
[QUOTE=StGermain]
What is the population of your village? Is your business a family one or a chain? Do you prefer village life?
StG
[/QUOTE]
The village has, at a guess, a population of around 1500. Plenty of holiday homes in that though. The business is a family one, and on balance I do prefer village life.
[QUOTE=Leaper]
I read in another thread that stores in your neck of the woods generally close by 5:30. What are the generally accepted reasons for this (there are many, I’m sure, but I’m asking for the intent behind it)? Does it really foster family togetherness, or does it just result in a lot of bored people and TV watching? How do people get important shopping done when so many work? Or is there a lot less working in families over there than here?
[/QUOTE]
A working day from 6am to 5:30 is long enough, thanks! I’m not aware of any particular intent behind it, and we’d certainly stay open longer if there was the demand for it - in fact when there are certain events on at the village we do.
[QUOTE=Szlater]
Is it a local shop, for local people?
[/QUOTE]
We’re not like that these days, but I can point you to a couple of places that are…
[QUOTE=chowder]
Where are you located and is my credit good for a case of Guinness and a few bottles of Jack Daniels 'til I get my dole money 
[/QUOTE]
We don’t have anyone on the dole out here, although they are now building a couple of a council houses, so we’ll see what happens!
[QUOTE=Small British Shop Owner]
We don’t have anyone on the dole out here, although they are now building a couple of a council houses, so we’ll see what happens!
[/QUOTE]
Well where are you, I’ll see about a council exchange
[QUOTE=chowder]
Well where are you, I’ll see about a council exchange
[/QUOTE]
I won’t give the exact location in a public forum, but somewhere in Western Scotland.
Scotland?
I’ll stay here
SBSO, do you have a nearby ‘main town’ ? Or are you proper rural ?
[QUOTE=essell]
SBSO, do you have a nearby ‘main town’ ? Or are you proper rural ?
[/QUOTE]
Nearest main town is around 15 miles away, so I do have one for most values of near.
However… if I drive the other way, then it’s 30 miles of single track road before reaching even a village.
Best of both worlds, really.
[QUOTE=Small British Shop Owner]
We don’t have anyone on the dole out here, although they are now building a couple of a council houses, so we’ll see what happens!
[/QUOTE]
Really? I wouldn’t be so down on the council housing though, often it’s the only chance local youngsters have to get an affordable place in their home town.
Can you give us a complete list of all the shops/retailers/businesses in your small village? This is the sort of thing that always interests me.
Do you serve food, like the steak pie you mentioned, or only sell it on a take-away basis?
Is (are) there one (or more) pub(s) in the village that have standard “charming” names like The Beetle and Wedge or the “Something” Arms?
[QUOTE=chowder]
Scotland?
I’ll stay here
[/QUOTE]
Like it’s that much of a difference. 
[QUOTE=Small British Shop Owner]
The village has, at a guess, a population of around 1500. Plenty of holiday homes in that though. The business is a family one, and on balance I do prefer village life.
[/QUOTE]
Is there train service to and from your village, or do you need to drive to reach the nearest city?
[QUOTE=Spectre of Pithecanthropus]
Like it’s that much of a difference.
[/QUOTE]
Hell of a difference my friend.
It rains in England, it absolutely hisses down in Bonnie Scotland…oh wait a minute
[QUOTE=chowder]
Hell of a difference my friend.
[/QUOTE]
Yeah, Scotland’s better looking.