OVER the last few columns, I have written about Brexit, for understandable reasons.

Irrespective as to your position before or after the EU Referendum, Brexit will have long lasting effects upon Inverclyde, Scotland and the UK.

This week, I will focus on something different – the high street and the shopping on offer.

I am no expert at shopping and don’t plan to be but the high street offer is crucial to local economy and local jobs.

This week, Marks and Spencer announced it plans to close a raft of stores UK wide, though thankfully its Port Glasgow store, pictured, is not one of them.

This follows on from other major retailers that have closed in recent years including Woolworths and BHS.

My forays into some, not all, retailers tend to leave me disappointed. However, as local MSP I am regularly asked about what can I do about the high street offer.

Throughout the ensuing discussion certain points tend to be raised that get to the problem: the price, the range on offer and the quality of the goods.

I still consider the value of an item before I purchase it. There are some shops I no longer entertain and there are others I went into once and have never returned because I believed the prices to be extortionate and the items not worth the money.

The retail market is clearly competitive and with an ever growing online presence, the competition is only going to get tougher. This is where the high streets can have an advantage but also disadvantages as the running costs of a store in town centres can be more expensive than an online presence.

So what can we do about it? The obvious comment is for us to shop less online and more in town centres. However, if you aren’t being offered what you want, at a price you are prepared to pay or sometimes the items are of a lesser quality than in the past, then we have a problem.

As the phrase goes, ‘the customer is always right’, so we will do what’s best for ourselves. At the same time, the other well known phrase, ‘use it or lose it’ applies when it comes to the offer on the high street.

Most people will have purchased something online at some point. I am an infrequent online shopper. I just don’t like it.

Locally however, we all want our local shops to be successful as they are critical for the local economy and local jobs. If the retailers get their offer right, you, the customer, will I’m sure support it.

The high street market will only get tougher however when Brexit forces up costs.