A new shop in the Brooks Centre Winchester opened its doors last week, or rather it kept them shut. Our own shop's doors are wide open.

Whenever hot weather arrives, I wonder if we made the right decision in not installing air conditioning. I'd like to say I was worried about our contribution to global warming but the truth is, cost was the main consideration. I fear our solution- a couple of ceiling fans- tends to suggest the sleepy days of It Ain't Half Hot Mum. Still, with the doors open, there's usually a plesasant breeze.

Open doors are what shops tend to have these days come rain or shine. In fact it's only a couple of months since a Chronicle reader was complaining about shops wasting heat by having doors open during a Big Freeze.

It's a tricky matter for shopkeepers because people tend to be nervous of going into to somewhere with closed doors. Think of all the negative connotations of a phrase like 'behind closed doors' as opposed to the positive 'open door policy'.

Unusually Eton Brown, our new neighbours in the Brooks, have adopted a Closed Doors policy for the very reason that they are an upmarket men's boutique and want people to feel they are entering somewhere a little exclusive. You certainly do feel special as attentive staff help you try on your Tommy Hilfiger clothes while your partner sips a coffee on a leather sofa.

They've also got very nice air conditioning.