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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.

In today’s programme, Deborah talks to Tracy Harvey, managing director of the family-run department store Harveys of Halifax, and gets a snapshot of the history and peculiar appeal of department stores from sociologist Professor Pamela Cox

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

A Whistledown production for Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4