Happens every time we have a recession Padster, slightest downturn and people drop the hobbies and it ends up being only the businesses keeping the likes of those going.
They will service their customers base from online if needed, but the likes of Screwfix are expanding around our area which to me is a godsend when needed some basics.
To be honest I would them sooner close a few stores than go bankrupt altogether and then unable to get products.
Seen it so many times over the years that businesses have gone bust and no longer there to compete when we have an upturn making our lives more expensive on the long run.
As for skills and loosing those, I agree but the world is a different one than it as when I was at school/college. We now have CNC’s that can churn out any piece of furniture, housewares and any part of a house fixtures and fittings quicker and more cost effective than several qualified joiners.
How long does it take to train a CNC operator? Less time than it takes to become a qualified joiner, and they can churn out many times more the volume of work. Yes quality isn’t the same as handmade, but then we are a throw away society, if it’s broke don’t fit it replace it.
Rant ! 
