ALL the debate surrounding the Focus site has been incredibly interesting.  

I personally find it terrible that West Devon Borough Council would want to stop an empty derelict site being brought back into economic use just because it doesn't want another supermarket in the town. The council seems to want to stop the provision of new jobs and more choice for local people due to their strange vendetta against foodstores.  

I know there are a lot of people who shop in Plymouth — there they have the choice of Sainsburys, Asda, Tesco, etc. Okehampton offers Waitrose.

All of this equates to competing towns taking away potential trade for our town as they are able to offer something we don't have.  

I personally don't feel our high street would suffer from another supermarket — most people I know don't do their weekly shop at Crebers; that is where you go for something a bit more special.

I think the council needs to wake up and realise that the town needs another supermarket and that we would all appreciate the provision of more jobs in the town.  

Stacey Richards

Tavistock

via email

AS the debate rumbles as to whether or not a supermarket should be built on the old Focus-Do-it-all site, do not forget the small town centre shops.

Walking around Tavistock, I get the feeling that many, indeed the majority, of independent shops are struggling. If we want to keep them, now is the time to rally round, use them as often as possible, get to know and like them, so the pattern is established before another supermarket sets up, not when it's too late.

Tavistock is known and visited for its market and speciality shops (Crebers for instance is known worldwide). Let's not risk losing them.

In other words: 'Use it or lose it!' You have been warned!

Chris Dicker

Tavistock

via email