The Circus

The Circus

19 December 2012

What is it about those major stores in Bath?  Why do they refuse to cater for the older generation?  Bath's population is, as elsewhere world-wide, AGEING.  But look for a chair anywhere throughout the premises of  Marks and Spencer, House of Fraser, Waitrose etc. and you will find nothing to sit on, no matter how disabled, tired or ill you happen to feel.

"Use the restaurant!" You will be instructed should you dare ask for a chair.  And as the restuarant is usually miles away and probably on the next floor, it is simply too far for your poor old legs or, in the case of many shoppers, your newly-replaced hip or knee,  to cope with.

If major department stores hope to counteract the effect of shopping on line, they need to sharpen up their services to the older and often more affluent generation.  They should aim to turn their premises into entertainment centres for people of all ages, offering special exhibitions, events, presentations to amuse and attract people into their stores and then GIVE THEM CHAIRS TO SIT ON while making expensive purchases.


I am currently working on my next novel, a family saga set in the early 19th C and concerning people involved in the South Sea Whaling industry.    Some years ago I received  generous financial funding from the Australian Literature Board which enabled me to spend considerable time in institutions in Australia and the UK researching primary sources relating to whaling.  I drafted the novel at that point, ran out of money and had to turn to writing something more profitable.    Now, I have the time to complete the work on whaling.  All my  original research material for this work is currently stored in the archives section of the National Library of Australia and is available on request.