Fairly easily, if you listen to Joel Keeble, of Harleston Tyre Services.

He said: “People aren’t buying new cars but re-tyring their old ones instead. People are also prepared to spend money repairing their garden machinery rather than replacing it at the drop of a hat.”

Jonathan Coleman, branch manager of Adnams Cellar and Kitchen agrees and believes that by bringing more trade into the town, business owners can help to promote each other.

“We have customers who come from lots of areas specifically for what the town has to offer” he said.

Mr Coleman arranges at least two wine tasters a month, mostly held at other local businesses, which he believes spreads not only the name of the store but also the town.

“It brings people in and while they are here they will ask where they can eat and I’ll recommend places, who in turn may recommend other shops” he said.

“Part of the charm and appeal of Harleston is the individual specialist shops.”

But Karen Waterfield, proprietor of Serenity said: “It’s a struggle. I’ve got extra jobs I do on top of this.”

Although she has been trading for only seven months, she is hopeful about the future: “We’re getting there and I think if I can survive this I should be able to pull myself through just about anything,” she said.

Another business attracting business from far and wide is Best Price Beds.

With their online site, they have pulled in customers from places such as Milton Keynes and Basildon by the brands they are offering and free delivery nationwide.

Richard Francis, a partner of the business, said: “We believe that by selling online we have a different approach to attracting customers from a variety of areas.”

“We can offer quality brands that are not normally found in our area.

“They don’t need to traipse around Norwich when we can offer the same items here for a better price.”