I HAVE read with interest your various letters regarding the old Focus site, as I have just moved from a very similar old historic market town, which also had a Morrisons, a Lidl and also an Iceland store.

About two years ago, Waitrose took over an unused site and it has been welcomed by the shopkeepers in town, as well as its residents. Because of its reputation the new Waitrose store has attracted shoppers from towns and villages near and far, as well as locals, who would shop there, and then go into town to do the rest of their shopping, and it has increased the prosperity of the town.

Tavistock has even better, excellent independent shops, and would surely feel the benefit from the increased retail.

Morrisons was still busy as it still had its fans, and there were plenty of cars in the car park.

Waitrose has a reputation for excellence in its products, food standards, its very helpful, friendly staff and wins many awards, but thousands of their 'Essential' products are checked against the same products at Tesco and price-matched to ensure they are the same price, and that Waitrose maintains value for money.

Having a Waitrose would only bring benefits to Tavistock.

Mrs M Godfrey

Tavistock