Re: I see...
"Long established family businesses on the high street probably own their property. Business rates would be a concern though."
There's also pressure to sell, especially as they get older as they want to get their wills in order and their children may not be willing to continue the business. Land grabbers know this.
"Our surviving local store seems to do quite well and employs about half a dozen people. They have carved a niche for lawn mower maintenance and general household small needs like tools, paint, kitchen items, light bulbs etc."
Hardware stores are one of the last stalwarts, but even they face pressure from big-box hardware stores like The Home Depot and Lowe's. Consider: the Home Depot is one of the largest retail businesses in the world, right up there with Kroger and Walmart.
"They are usually cheaper than their only nearby supermarket competition."
What if the nearest competition, however, is a big box? There's one reason Walmart's often called the Bane of Main Street.