I would have liked to be able to congratulate and identify the new proprietors of the shop at 10 The Parade between the Calypso cafe and Snappy Snaps. This shop, which had previously been the site of a haridresser' salon, has been unlet for simply ages, so it is great that someone has now moved in.

Surprisingly, however, the business had not yet decided what to admit calling itself when it openned. This was very strange, but was of course, the prerogative of the owners, at least vis-a-vis the public, if not its suppliers, the council and the tax man.

They eventually made their minds up about what they wish to be called, and joined their fellows striving to pursue their commerce in our High Street by letting the public know who they are.

The business has many fellows. They have set out displays of phone, computer and car audio-equipment/ accessories and intend to offer a repair service. There are any number of phone accessory businesses in the High Street and St James's Street area, some also selling 'Calling cards'. The undecided business has found time to install a digital display in its front window, which indicates to those who notice these things that they sell these cards. On enquiry, however, it seems that they do not do this and have no intention of doing so, which means the display needs re-programming.

Other services they do intend to provide, but which have not yet been set up, include Western Union money transfer, photocopying, fax servies and some internet access, possibly a small internet cafe. The premices are probably large enough.

I do hope that this venture is successful. The business will be competing in a very crowded telecommunications market in the High Street, with businesses as diverse as Sweets and Treats, Gul Enterprises, GSM Global Communications, GSM Phones and Accessories, Platinum Solutions , Sal Fone Mobile, Orientex Mobile, 7 Stars Mobile, Central Internet Cafe and PCO, Communications Centre, Get Connected UK, Ryman, Togane Telecom, Time2Talk and Connexions all slugging it out with such giants of the industry as 3 Store.

Central Internet Cafe and P.C.O, Tagone Telecom, the Communications Centre and Connexions are rivals in the internet access business, which Western Union can be found available at Afro Cosmetics (London), Connexions, Togane Telecom, Iqbal Travel and Time 2 Talk.

Whether they are related to "Salfone Mobile" or not, I have no idea.

[Updated 14 February 2009]