I WAS born, brought up and currently still live in Tavistock. I run my own business and have the pleasure of speaking to my customers about many things concerning the town.

The main subject at the moment is the new Tesco. 100 per cent of the people I speak to have the same view that it is a good idea for the planning to be accepted, the main reason being to reduce the need to go out of town for a good 'food' shop, whilst not affecting the shopping they do locally in the town.

I have had many customers who do not live in Tavistock but always mention what a lovely town it is and how they visit at least twice a month to wander around the town. A new Tescos will not stop them from coming!

However, if the council did not see fit to be asking so much in rent for premises in the town and parking prices, then maybe we could make it an even nicer place to visit and shop.

With reduced rents maybe this would encourage more people to open shops selling things that would set our town apart from others.

A new DIY store has been mentioned by some of the readers. How would this be fair if it ends up by selling bathroom, kitchen and bedroom furniture, which is being sold by private retailers now in the town? Is anyone bothered by that?

I think the town is being led by people in the dark ages who are afraid of change. I also think that our Morrisons could do with some compitition to keep it on its toes.

I believe a fair way would be a local vote, but then maybe the council and the chamber of commerce would not like the result!

The town of Tavistock will be ruined if things keep going the way the are regardless of a supermarket being built or not.

Kevin Young

Tavistock

via email

I READ with some amusement the front page (May 2) about Mackays 'objecting' to another out of town supermarket. With the greatest of respect, Mackays are simply another one of the national chain shops we have in the town who give nothing to Tavistock at all and in chatting them up to put their name to this article, all you are doing is creating free advertising for Mackays.

There is now a proven need for a third supermarket to give direct competition to Morrisons, as Lidls is only a small outlet and the former Somerfield is lacking in any warmth as a pleasant shopping experience as it is a small outlet with a car park barely accessible because the lifts rarely work.

Surely the writer of the article should look outside the box and realise that the faux-pas by our planning committee in allowing the conversion of the Focus building to a supermarket will almost certainly put the nail in the coffin of any pursuit of the old out-of-town Sainsbury's site by providing us with the ability to now break the stranglehold that Morrisons has on Tavistock. For those who use their car to drive to the supermarket (I don't) then at least you will have an alternative along with your own personal choice to go shopping in the town centre.

Purely because they are shop owners in Tavistock does not give them the right to launch campaigns against the majority of those in this town that wish to have the freedom of choice to shop, let alone reduce our carbon footprint by driving ten miles in each direction to another Tesco or similar to do the weekly shop.

Mike Hooper

Chartered architect

Drake Road Tavistock

l M&Co were not approached by the Times to put their name to the article. The story was based on an unsolicited email sent to the paper and various other town organisations from M&Co's chairman — Editor

I WOULD like to respond to the news article last week about Tesco taking the trade out of Tavistock.

I would just like to point out how this would never happen. Tesco does not sell prescription glasses, does not do haircuts and perms, does not sell second hand unwanted old goods, does not sell houses and flats, will not sell washing machines and tumble-dryers, will not put a bet on the horses on a Saturday, nor could you order a pint there while watching the Saturday afternoon footie. They would not be selling a whole range of clothing, shoes, sportswear, won't sell a vast array of cards and wrapping paper, car tyres, exhausts, etc, etc, etc.

The only people that Tesco would be a problem for is Morrisons and I feel they could do with the competition as they have had it easy for far too long.

I for one am hopeful that Tesco does get the permission as this then saves me the trip of going all the way to either Plymouth, Callington or Launceston, and will also make a few more jobs.

If the council made the multi-storey car park a free car park then this would bring more people into Tavistock, thus helping town centre trade.

Nicola Mott

Bere Alston