SO, that's it then. Tescos for Tavistock it is! In the wisdom of the directors of Tesco stores, there is sufficient market for yet another food and cut-price drink store in Tavisock. We will then have Tesco, Lidl, Morrisons and two Co-ops. A staggering five major supermarkets all within walking distance of each other! 

And yet the directors of B&Q and Homebase et al, to the contrary, don't believe there is a market for one single DIY store, even when there is no alternative within a 500 square mile area.  

I find that even more extraordinary, when the average family spend at a supermarket, is not much different to the average total  family spend

at  gardening centres, electrical stores,  power tool /general DIY centres, decorating and building supplies stores.

I have sent a copy of this email to Mathew Webster of B&Q and Jane Perry at Homebase in the hope that Tesco's attempt at planning permission for the DIY ex Focus store, might jar one of these DIY firms to let more than 15,000 potential customers  purchase a sawblade or a dimmer switch in our wonderful town — or even a 500 square mile area.

Stephen Court

via email

WHY are we letting developers tear apart our town? I have given up on our councillors  doing the right thing by this town.

These companies have decimated hundreds of town centres in the UK, and it is extensively documented, just to pander to people's shopping whimsy:  'My partner has only got four supermarkets to buy our ready meals from, let's turf up the countryside'. 'Let's trash the skyline and build a large unsightly housing scheme and ridiculous access road'.

I would like the Times to take a very close interest on who is voting for what and to keep me informed so I  can help out by voting against the councillors whom I think are doing the wrong thing.

If they spoil our town in any way they should be voted out of office and that's that.

Jam Gibson

Friar Walk

Tavistock