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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’s off to the movies, as she drops in on Andrew Poole, the manager of the family-run Pavilion Cinema in Galashiels in the Scottish borders. 2020 was supposed to be a year of celebration – the cinema’s 100th anniversary – but now Andrew admits the whole industry faces an uncertain future

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

A Whistledown production for Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4