THE return of a butcher’s business descended from the original Alden family shop to the Covered Market is a real boon to today’s Independents’ Day push by retailers.

As we report today, a new branch of Meatmaster cash and carry is to settle back into the city’s iconic market, where the family’s original business first flourished from about 1794.

It is a neat rounding off of the circle and coincides with Independents’ Day.

We all complain that our high streets are increasingly looking identical because of the (admittedly successful) chains.

The county is relatively diverse retail-wise compared to others, with places such as the Covered Market, East Oxford, Witney and Woodstock.

But small shops still need your support if you value a varied High Street.

There is no good tut-tutting about a row of empty shops as you cruise past on your way to do the weekly shop at the local retail park.