Is this Britain's SMUGGEST town?

The weather would be a trade-killer for many an embattled town centre – cloudy, drizzly and unseasonably chilly.

But this is Totnes, self-declared 'creative capital' of England, scourge of the chain store and home of what one independent retailer describes as a ‘Goldilocks high street’.

Which is partly why by 11am the historic South Devon town is already thronging with shoppers - locals and visitors alike - and the coffee shops are buzzing.

At least, most are. The one representative of a major national café brand, Caffe Nero’s Coffee#1, has only a couple of occupied tables in its comparatively spacious premises.

In fairness this may be because it stands at the top of the steepish high street, furthest from the main car parks.