FIRST we had the “virtual shop”, now we have the “pop-up” shop.

This is the brainchild of Planning Minister Greg Clark in response to David Cameron’s insistence that local groups should be able to set up their own community shops to breath new life into the High Street.

But this will have little effect – with unaffordable shop rates, and the major supermarkets now selling every item small shops used to, the High Street of old is fighting a losing battle.

Take Redcar, for instance. It has more “virtual shops” than real ones.

We have a massive concrete shopping complex plus two large supermarkets.

Now Mr Clark wants the local community to set up its own chain of “pop-up” shops.

Redcar may be a seaside town but there simply aren’t enough fish left in the sea to take the bait.

Stephen Dixon, Redcar.