VOX SHOP

Are you being affected by the economic downturn?

"Not directly.

My suspicions are that people are drinking less due to the ads on hoardings and government warnings on television, but it's not directly linked to the economy. A worry in Edinburgh is redundancies in the banking sector - for example Edinburgh-based Royal Bank of Scotland

- but I don't think that will hit until next year. Hopefully people will go for broke over Christmas."

David Henderson

Henderson Wines, Edinburgh

"Yes, business is definitely much slower and has been for a while - it's been very noticeable over the past six months in particular."

Margaret Davies

Dylan's Wine Cellar

Swansea

"With the credit crunch we've noticed customers are spending their cash but not using cards. People are more conscious about what they spend and are looking for deals. Price-marked packs are doing well for us. Our business with tradesmen, such as plumbers and builders, isn't booming, but generally sales are remaining stable. People aren't going out

as much so they are drinking

more at home."

Mark Johnson

Celebrations Off-licence

Offerton, Stockport

"People are still happy to spend, but things are changing every day in the media so maybe we will be affected tomorrow, next week, or next month.

I've noticed fewer customers are coming in - we used to be busier in the mornings."

Farid Bahadary

Forest Hill Off-licence

Nottingham