John Lewis is the latest in a line of large chain stores to dominate our high street. Taking over from Beechwood Shopping centre, the 115,000 sq. ft building is filled to the brim with all manner of artifacts and curiosities.
We met with two independent traders to find out how they picture the future of small businesses in the wake of this retail giant.
Phil Goode from Vinyl Vaults, highlights the decline in small businesses and how John Lewis could cause independent traders to disappear altogether.
Proud Lions Comics managing director, Ben Fardon, has been running this comic book store for ten years. He is optimistic about the new John Lewis store and speaks about the benefits of owning a small business.