Perhaps like a lot of independent retailers, we’ve been watching BBC2’s Mary Queen of Shops with interest but also with mixed feelings. Mary Portas is clearly quite the dynamo and deserves respect for her straight-talking nous, her excellent haircut and her enviable collection of statement jewellery. However, you can’t help but feel for the shop-owners being steamrollered into submission for the sake of good TV. For while surrendering to ‘those who know best’ -  be it Trinny and Susannah, Sarah Beeny or Mary Queen of Shops – may make you more of a success, there’s something depressing about having to conform to convention in order to do so. The thing about personal taste, good or bad, is surely that it’s part of what makes the person.

So, as we begin to plan the overhaul of our own beloved emporium, one thing’s certain: not for us the identikit ‘shop, 2008′ look of blonde wood floors, minimalist rails and a feature wall papered with ironic chintz. All we can say is that it’ll involve scaffolding, ladders and lots of pink paint. And the revolution will not be televised – so maybe it’s time to plan a visit?