Shoppers in Retford have shared their optimism despite fears the high street could struggle. It comes after the market town's high street has seen key losses over the past year.
Major staples have gone including Geo. Burton's family run butchers after 146 years as well as four bank closures. The GPO, which was hoped would regenerate live music in Retford, shut its doors after just five months.
Lincolnshire Live reports The Courtyard on Churchgate also closed after nine months in business. One resident of the town, who has watched Retford change over the last decade, said the closures were a "sign of the way things are going".
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But not everyone has shared the sad mood. Jill Collins, 83, from nearby Hallcroft, said there was still life in the historic market town. She said: "A lot of people still like coming to Retford for its shops.
"I know a few of them have closed but that's true everywhere you go. Here, they've maintained the old style of the market and it's retained its character.
"I'm not a Retfordian but Retford people are very, very friendly." Another strength of the town, Mrs Collins said, was its market, held on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Traders come from all over, selling wares that range from cheese and local produce to clothing and haberdashery. Mrs Collins said: "It's much better than online because you can actually see what it is you're buying.
"Especially with clothing - you can see a picture and think it's nice, but then when it arrives you don't like it. And we've actually got quite friendly with a few of the stallholders now, and we always say hello to them and they always want to chat."
Market traders previously said that despite "thin footfall" they were remaining resilient. She added that the situation in Retford was overall better than the one in Worksop, where she described shopping as like playing "spot the store".
Barbara Hornagold, 85, who was out for the day with Mrs Collins, said she would come from Worksop to Retford regularly because she preferred the variety on offer and likewise praised the town for its character. She added: "I don't own a computer and I don't want to be buying things online.
"I want to go into a shop and see it. I think a lot of people want that, too." Officers at Bassetlaw District Council are also optimistic about Retford's future. It was confirmed on Monday, December 19 that the council had been awarded a £3.4-million grant to bolster communities and businesses in Bassetlaw over the next three years.
Part of the funding, which comes from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, will be spent on the high street as well as rural businesses. Improving town centres, green spaces such as parks, and reducing crime rates are also priorities, the council said.
Cllr Jo White, deputy leader of the council and Labour candidate for Bassetlaw MP, said the funding will be used to "support businesses" across the entire district and will help the local economy grow. She said: "The creation of a new community and voluntary grant programme will make funding available for communities to improve their neighbourhoods, increase pride in the district and deliver projects that are important to local residents."
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