The High Street - 2009 forecast

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With Britain now officially in recession, how are traders on a typical High Street faring? We returned to Southampton's Shirley High Street to ask our team of shopkeepers a key question about confidence: are you more or less optimistic about your business than you were 12 months ago?

Despite some of stalwart shop names disappearing from High Streets up and down the country in recent weeks, our panel overall remain defiantly optimistic about business prospects for 2009.

<h2 class="data466">THE HIGH STREET: BUSINESS FORECAST</h2>

Shop Forecast Mood Greengrocer Phil Rolf "The cost of imports is having an effect. I've got three choices: I don't buy imports; I buy them and don't put any mark-up on them; I buy them, put a mark-up on them, and don't sell them." Butcher Jamie Mills "It's not looking good - trade is down a bit on last year but we know it will pick up in barbecue season." Charity Debbie Neary "We have got the customers but we need volunteers and stock so this year I'm going out into the community and into schools to generate more donations." Discount storePeter Gallagher "We are holding our own. There's no reason why the recession should be negative. The VAT cut and falling interest rates help." Estate agentSteve Jones "The market's just starting to turn. Now is a good time to buy and I'm employing people, rather than laying them off." Outdoor gearGraham Tucker "I'm hoping more people take up walking and the cold weather stays while the winter lines are in." Restaurant Eamon Tang "You have to be optimistic but things are not looking so good. It's been a very quiet start to the year and the government are not doing enough." Tanning shopJ Burlingham "We have met the recession with extremely low prices - £1 a session. It's increased numbers and I would rather see a full shop than an empty one." Amusements Clare Kimber "It would be a bit silly to be optimistic. With all the companies going bust, you never know if your company is going to be next." Key cutter Tony "Things are working well. We had a record breaking day on Saturday and I'm aiming for higher profits this year." Card shop Gary Newman "I'm fairly positive. Because of the type of product and the discounts we offer, we are in the right place for the recession." Mobile phonesNatasha Hirst "Business is better now than it was 12 months ago. People always want the latest gadgets, still."