Readers might know that I’m a devoted user of charity shops. My latest buy was a pair of Guess jeans for £2.99. (Age UK last week.) And do they fit? Like they were made to measure.

The independent health shop near Laura Ashley has closed. When I last chatted to its proprietor around Christmas, he said he couldn’t afford the business rates. He had to let his staff go and I detected he was not a happy man.

”Some people must get paid. The admin teams, the accountants, the managers in some charity shops”

In its place there’ll be a charity shop. Run by volunteers. Stocked by donations. At the other end is the YMCA. Do they pay the same business rates? Do they generate income for the country? Do the same rules apply?

Charities ask us for money. We give it. They open shops, sell the things we donate and make money (for the charity). Some people must get paid. The admin teams, the accountants, the managers in some charity shops.

So how does this all work? And isn’t there something wrong with the system?

I’m a great supporter of independent business. I like the variety of services and the uniqueness of how they operate. They’re run by people with novel ideas (usually) and bring character to towns and High Streets.

They offer entrepreneurs opportunity and employ people. They’re not anonymously run by shareholders or directors. Employers are usually marvellously well-informed about every aspect of their business and what they sell and they’re on the whole good to work for.

Shouldn’t this be encouraged? I know the government talked about this and I await some action.

”To me each one is a wonderful mix of antique bookshop, vintage clothes boutique and boot sale selling all those ancient home wares”

So what happens if Clobber closes. And Hopper and Babb? And all the other independent businesses? What if only huge national chains and charity shops can afford to stay?

Speaking of which the business premises in Chesham Road (ex Apricot) have been for sale for ages. Why is that? Does it all just cost too much?

I just think that if business costs are so punitive that no one can make a go of it here, what a shame.

I ask myself (murmuring quietly as I amble around Oxfam looking for a salad bowl or really good book) how many charity shops Amersham can accommodate. Perhaps a lot more than this.

Maybe it’s OK to have more charity shops – to me each one is a wonderful mix of antique bookshop, vintage clothes boutique and boot sale selling all those ancient home wares.

But I do lament that individuals can’t afford to offer Amersham their services and wonder what this means to this town and to Britain as a whole.

Are we all meant to work for large companies or for nothing at all in charity shops? No individualism? No initiative? Surely then no motivation either. A nation of soldier ants. No Z or Princess Bala.

I wonder what Peter from the health shop does now. Perhaps he works for another health shop. Or is trying to set up business somewhere else. I hope so. Perhaps he works in a charity shop.

With my hand on my charitable heart, I sincerely hope not.