We know from the responses we received to our survey on what Watford people want for their town centre how strongly readers feel.
The high street and shopping centre have suffered over recent years from online shopping and the final blow for many businesses that was the Covid pandemic.
At one point, people who ran shopping centres spoke about 'anchor stores' - the big names that would attract people in and support the many smaller shops.
But these chains with their large premises and many employees proved to be vulnerable to the low prices offered by online retailers. John Lewis and other department stores have disappeared from Watford and many other towns.
Many readers still hope John Lewis will return, but the sad fact is that however much people loved it, not enough people bought things there to keep it open.
A few years ago, it looked as if eating out would be the future for town centres. But staff are harder to recruit and food costs are rising for the employers, while their customers contend with rising energy bills and inflation hitting the grocery bills.
Which leaves discount retailers. Aldi and Lidl were the undoubted retail success stories even of the pre-pandemic years and Home Bargains was the shop many readers felt would be welcome in Watford.
Read more: Popular store 'definitely interested' in coming to Watford
It's easy to be snobbish, but this is where we are. Most of us don't have that much money and things are getting more expensive. If we want busy, vibrant high streets, low prices may be the price we have to pay.
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