MANY shops rely heavily on Christmas to keep their heads above water.
And, fortunately for them, tradition usually sees shoppers respond by throwing caution to the wind and spend, spend, spend.
Even if that means waking up later with a thumping financial hangover.
That's always been the way. It's Christmas - we'l
l worry about paying for it later.
But will it be different this year?
That's the question that must be foremost in the minds of many anxious Mansfield and Ashfield traders right now as the countdown to Santa's arrival really begins in earnest.
To give them their due, they seem to be playing their part. Sales abound. Prices are being slashed. There are bargains to be had all over the place.
There certainly doesn't seem to be any shortage of potential customers around, and this week's announcement of a cut in VAT should make those gifts look even more attractive.
But will the public respond?
The past year has seen a number of shops in Mansfield, Sutton and Kirkby go out of businesses.
It's in everyone's interests that no more are added to that list.
Fingers crossed for a Better-Than-Expected Christmas, leading to a Reasonably Prosperous New Year.
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