For many years, I owned and ran a hardware shop of just the kind Adrian Chiles speaks of so fondly (When I want to feel loved, I just go to a hardware store, 13 May). It’s nice to see he makes an effort to support them but, sadly, buying a few hose fittings and a potted plant is not enough to see them survive.
Ultimately, it became impossible for me to compete with the chain stores on big-ticket items and make a profit selling “’ose”, “plugs”, “Ps” and “four candles”, and so, like so many other small shop owners, I said “bill hooks!” and gave up the unequal struggle.
Stephen Peckham
Westerham, Kent
