I WAS interested to read (August 21) Okehampton town clerk?s reasons for the proposed increase in the rents to the traders in Charter Hall.

I was in Charter Hall last Thursday, and there were only four stalls taken up ? the rest were completely bare, and on making a purchase and talking to the stallholder about the increase ? which I understand has now been confirmed ? he said ?how they can justify this increase is beyond belief!?

For the town clerk to compare the rents with places like Tavistock and Hatherleigh is ludicrous, bearing in mind the number of people visiting those two markets.

If this is another indication of the ?forward planning? of this town council it is easy to understand how we have finished with three supermarkets and not a decent coach park. This must be a record for one of the smallest towns in the country with the most supermarkets.

It is a great pity that the people on Tavistock Council cannot be co-opted to Okehampton Council ? this would show what could be done with a little more thought.

R D Harper

Baldwin Drive

Okemoor Park

Okehampton