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When the pandemic is over what will be left of the UK’s High Streets?

Thousands of traders – big and small – have already gone to the wall. Many more are struggling to survive.

In this five-part series, the cultural historian Professor Deborah Sugg Ryan tells the deeply personal stories of five small businesses from across the UK, fighting to keep their heads above water. She also reveals the often surprising social history that lies behind many of our shop windows.

Today, Deborah makes a virtual trip to the pub to talk to James Burrell Cook, landlord of the Queen Victoria in Maldon, about his battle to keep going in the face of successive lockdowns. We also hear from Dr Damon Taylor about the cultural history of the Public House.

Written and presened by Professor Deborah Sugg Ryan
Producer: Tara Holmes

A Whistledown production for Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4