When the pandemic is over what will be left of the UK’s High Streets?

Thousands of traders – big and small – have already gone to the wall. Many more are struggling to survive.

In this five-part series the cultural historian, Professor Deborah Sugg Ryan tells the deeply personal stories of five small businesses from across the UK, fighting to keep their heads above water. She also reveals the often surprising social history that lies behind many of our shop windows.

Today in the last programme of the series, Deborah talks to Hellen Stirling Baker, owner of Small Stuff, a specialist toy shop in Sheffield, about why she actually moved into bigger premises during lockdown.

Written and presented by Professor Deborah Sugg Ryan
Producer: Tara Holmes

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 Show less