I LOVE Tavistock passionately. I went to school here and returned to this area 26 years ago. I do most of my shopping here, and greatly value the independent shops and market stalls. I occasionally shop in a supermarket, rarely in Tavistock.

The point I wish to make is that there are several options for people to benefit from the low prices that are available in the existing supermarkets, such that we do not need another.

If another supermarket is to be allowed, please can it be one that provides quality rather than low prices? Nearby towns — Okehampton, Holsworthy, Saltash — have branches of Waitrose, why not Tavistock with its 'award winning' label?

Being on a relatively small pension, I also have to 'watch my pennies' but I prefer to buy 'quality' even if that means less of it. I am sure that many shoppers in Tavistock, individuals and families would very much appreciate that option.

If Waitrose was to be invited to consider a branch in Tavistock, it may be considered that the site is too big, in which case, could it be divided so that a DIY firm could occupy the other part? That would provide a filler for the gap left for Tavistock shoppers by the demise of Focus.

Or Sainsburys could be invited back, with a version of their mixed shopping experience, which could include a DIY outlet.

Come on, Tavistock planners, value what we have got and start thinking more imaginatively — get out of the grip of cheapness and think quality.

Mrs E Mackenzie

I JUST wanted to share with readers something I feel strongly about.

When I opened my salon we were fortunate enough to have a clientéle, so not taking clients away from other salons, although since then we have picked up new clients along the way, due to our reputation. When another barbers opened up and I mentioned to the council that there were now five hairdressers and barbers within 50 metres of each other, I was told that competition was always good for businesses.

Therefore, looking at it logically, the Co-op have the high street sewn up with both their supermarkets and Morrisons is always so busy people do not always shop there. Surely, having another supermarket on the outskirts of town should come under the council saying 'competition is always good for business'?

A supermarket would not want to come to an area if it thought there was not going to be any business for them. People who use the Co-operative in town will most probably still use these supermarkets, but does the council not realise that an awful lot of people go out of Tavistock to use Tescos and Asdas elsewhere? I say let's keep them in and around Tavistock.

It would help generate more business for the industrial estate where the Focus site is. They are suffering at the moment due to this site being closed, and it looks bad when people drive past who may be coming into Tavistock.

With all the cutbacks the Government are making to people's income we now have to shop around to make the best of our money if we still want to have a few luxuries — the more choice the better I say. This town could die soon and I for one do not want to see this.

Lorraine

The Whole Shebang

Market Street

Tavistock

I DON'T frequent McDonald's but, in the interests of justice, have to try to correct the opinion of your recent correspondent who said that Tavistock 'saw off McDonald's' and can do the same to Tesco.

Bracketing those two firms together as providers of cheap and nasty food is unfair. McDonald's was untouched by the horsemeat scandal: its meat is sourced in Great Britain and bought under the RSPCA's Freedom Food scheme.

For years Hellmann's, which then cheerfully sold mayonnaise made with battery eggs to the general public, had to make it with free-range eggs for McDonald's. All the eggs used by McDonald's are free-range, and have been for years. It has been a leader in demanding better welfare legislation in animal production. Hellmann's eggs have been free range since 2010.

Furthermore, recognising that fast food causes litter, McDonald's sends its staff out from every store, in uniform and properly equipped, to collect litter from the surrounding areas — a practice supermarkets in Tavistock would do well to copy, as is evident in the quarter-mile radius of Morrisons.

As for Tavistock 'seeing off' McDonald's, the firm made a poor commercial decision, as Tesco has done in the USA. My impression of Tavistock is of a gentle and tolerant place, putting up with many things it might not like very much and not given to 'seeing off' anyone.

Apart from those who drop litter, of course!

Jane Miller

via email