What We Got in a Street of Shops

I was the founding Chairman of a trading group for locally run independent shops in Sunderland City Centre and the following piece catalogues all the types of goods available in the four streets. I wrote it in 1999 and already it is out of date..the giutar shop is a nightclub, the DIY store is a pub, to name but two changes. In a few years time when retailers have deserted the high street in favour of out of town retail parks and eShops, this will be quaint nostalgiaWhat We GotThere's computer games, picture framesLights, tights and holiday flightsArtist's studio, Art Garfunkel, Art DecorSaws, doors, parquet floorsSlot machines, kiddies jeansBacon, sausage, chips and beansHoover bags, sleeping bags, twenty fags, glossy magsFacial scrub, Italian grubEven a widget (at the pub)You can buy some meat, back a suite, back a horseGet a divorceThere's dollies houses, computer mousesOutdoor pursuits, out-size suitsTellies and welliesBellies pierced, bellied pork, pork pies, hair dyes, hi-fi'sBeds for sunning, pipes for plumbingClairvoyancy...could you see that coming?Driving Lessons (choice of two)Clothing, books, old and newDo you need a new tutu?Howsabout a nice tattoo?A wedding gown or tanning brownUniforms and unicornsPills for piles, office files, retro stylesBeds, nibs and broomsticksPhoto pics, compact discs, computer discsslipped discs cured, lives assuredCondoms, popadoms, CD Roms, Last night at the Proms(On record) very rare, beauty treatment, cutting hairPies prepared, flies repairedCurtains, blinds, dentures, specsInvesting cash, cashing chequesDiamond rings, guitar stringsCars ( and other things with wings)Repairs to washers, driers, fridgesMuch more choice than at The BridgesPark Lane Shopping...what a spotWhat we got...we got the lot