Covid-19 shopping restrictions are going to be a problem for small businesses that brighten our high streets

I feel like I’m a pupil at an eccentric boarding school where the head teacher keeps rewriting the rules, writes Janet Street-Porter

The advantage has been handed to Tesco, Poundland and co (AFP/Getty)

Think of words that have gone out of fashion. Sideboard for example – who needs this large piece of furniture in a small flat in 2020?

Half a century ago, it was a different matter. My parent were the proud owners of a G Plan sideboard full of stuff for meals at the matching dining table in their front room. Table mats, fancy napkin rings, tiny stemmed glasses for sherry and cut glass water glasses that couldn’t go in the dishwasher were all stashed inside. Steak knives in special velvet boxes, a porcelain butter dish, ice cream dishes and a set of tiny knives (in a box lined with white satin) for fruit or cheese.

All these accoutrements sum up fine dining 1960s style – which rarely happened (other than at Christmas) in our semi-detached near the A40 in West London.