Town centre loses another big name, in a twist nobody saw coming

Stop us if you've heard this one. Another big chain is leaving Scunthorpe town centre. This time it's Clarks, which will close its shop in early December. Just in time for Christmas. Lovely.

A spokesperson thanked staff for their "hard work and commitment". Quite right. Those staff have measured more nervous little feet before September than anyone should have to. They deserve better than a corporate decision from somewhere far away.

Council leader Rob Waltham called it "another blow" for the town centre. "Another" doing a lot of work there. He said: "This is the problem with being dependent on big organisations." He's urging people to back independent shops through the council's Buy Local, Back North Lincs campaign.

Big chains come, big chains go, usually towards a retail park. The independents are still here. Maybe buy your Christmas presents from them. They might even remember your name.