AT the recent planning enquiry regarding Sainsbury's new out-of-town store, the Tavistock Chamber of Commerce was vociferous in their opposition to this proposition on the grounds that it would be unfair and detrimental to the shops and businesses in the town. They claimed that shoppers would prefer to benefit from Sainsburys free car parking to the disadvantage of the town centre shops. How much their voice was of concern to the Inspector in reaching his conclusion to reject the appeal is open to conjecture.
Now, one reads in the Times that this self-same chamber of commerce is clamouring for the installation of on-street parking meters. Their claim is that people are overstaying their parking time, thus blocking a space for potential customers for their shops who would possibly, in frustration, drive away.
I wonder whether they've done their sums. How much revenue do they lose by a few motorists' anti-social behaviour by overstaying, compared with the loss to them of people saying 'No thank you, I'd rather not pay the parking surcharge for the privilege of stepping into your shop. I'll go to Morrison's or Tesco instead where it's free'.
I would have thought that in these difficult economic times anything that the businesses of Tavistock could do to encourage people into the town is to be encouraged. Not propositions to drive them away.
Kenneth J Gilbert
Beeches
Crapstone
IN response to recent letters about parking problems in the town centre, and that people will instead drive to out of town shopping centres, I cannot understand the logic of this.
At 40p per hour charge, how can any savings be made when they are paying over £1.05 per litre of petrol to drive to these out of town places.
A friend recently paid 90p an hour in Exeter and that was at a reduced rate being a Sunday.
I have found on very rare occasions when I have had to drive out of town to shop, it has been a very uncomfortable experience, with crowds pushing trolleys into one another trying to find the appropriate section they want.
It would be a good thing if people stopped complaining and appreciated Tavistock for the beautiful town it is.
D Williams
Tavistock