The Communities Secretary Hazel Blears is to abolish the "needs test", a feature of planning law that the Government believes has unduly encouraged the growth of out-of-town supermarkets at the expense of high street shops. A fierce political debate is likely to follow, since the Conservatives' campaign in support of small retailers backed the test, on the basis that it helped town halls protect independent businesses.

There may be argument over the best planning regime for small shops. What is clear is that public concern over the march of the chains has pushed the issue up the political agenda. Independent entrepreneurs are often more responsive to local needs and likely to plough profits back into the community. They add character and variety to our high streets.

However, if new retailing ideas do not have a chance to start somewhere, the grip of the established groups will get stronger, damaging competition. Small shops therefore deserve our support. In difficult economic conditions they need it more than ever. The jury may be out on how planners can best protect them. In the meantime readers who have backed our Save our Small Shops campaign should consider saving petrol and shopping locally and often, rather than driving out of town for a weekly trolleyload. If more small shops vanish, it will be very hard to bring them back.

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