ABSTRACT
Cross-sectional analysis of service industry location provides a useful insight into its distribution and has identified some spatial and other inequalities. Such an approach is justified in relation to the way in which the major theories of location, particularly central place theory, are also essentially static and crosssectional. It is generally considered difficult to incorporate a temporal component into these models. Yet it will be apparent from Chapters 6 and 7 that private and public services (consumer-or producer-oriented) operate within an environment which demands virtually constant appraisal and reappraisal of the existing location of establishments whether they are part of a major multi-site operation or represent a small, independent concern with just one point of contact with customers and suppliers.
