SOME people complain that you can’t buy everything you need in towns like Devizes. That’s true. We get the benefits of living in a relatively small and safe community, but there are also some negatives. We do have some very good places to eat, but there’s not a huge choice. Public transport to bigger towns and cities is laughable outside peak times. There’s not a great deal for teenagers and young adults to do. In terms of festivals, carnivals and other cultural events, we punch well above our weight. Although some might disagree, Wiltshire Council and Devizes Town Council are both very supportive over these. On the whole we do alright. If you want more, you’re probably going to have to move to somewhere like Bristol or even the world’s finest city, London

Although we don’t have the choices available in the bigger conurbations, we don’t do too badly. And much of the choice comes down to the fact that we have a fair few independent shops. Most are run by local people, trying to provide a service and earn a living whilst generally not forcing their staff to work on public holidays. Like many, I like to support them where I can, although I’m by no means as evangelical about it as some and I do shop in the chains and online too. So, when I did some shopping the weekend before Christmas, I went to all sorts of shops, big and small.

The post office had a massive queue. But they had lots of people working; so I was in and out in under ten minutes. That was impressive. The supermarket was busy too, but the staff were cheerful.

And then to the independents. The butchers and the bookshop were as good as ever. The next was fine too. Then I went into one and found a card I liked, chose it and went to pay. The lady at the till was serving someone and appeared to be giving that person all the help they needed. Great stuff. The lady was not the only one working, but her colleague was doing what looked like general tidying of the shelves. I knew I'd have to wait but at no stage did either of them so much as acknowledge the rest of the queue. The bloke in front of me was already queuing when I got into the shop. He eventually had enough, put what he was going to buy back on the shelf and walked out. I joined him with a "life's too short". I guess they lost out on sales of about a tenner. Not a great deal but it all adds up,

Both of us were prepared to wait - that's how these things work. And we are English. But being ignored just does my nut in. Tim Martin, the Wetherspoon founder and CEO, used to set a standard of "serve within two minutes, but acknowledge within 20 seconds." The first point isn't always possible but the second always is. If I'm acknowledged, even with a slight nod, I'm happy to wait. That seems to be the same for most people. None of us likes standing around like a complete lemon.

So I wasn't in too great a mood when I went into the next independent - one that's been there for many a long year. And guess what happened. But, after a minute or two of standing there like the invisible man, a lady came over from another till and was very friendly, helpful ... and a tad apologetic. My grumpiness evaporated, they got my money and I shall be more than happy to go back again.

As I've said before, I want to support the independents. But if some ignore customers then they lose their unique selling point. So come on, some of you little 'uns, meet us half way.