WHY is there so much pressure to spoil Tavistock and see it become a dormitory town for Plymouth, like Ivybridge?

Several weeks ago I wrote to the managing directors of B&Q and Homebase asking them to seriously consider a store here. I pointed out that the purpose built premises are there waiting for them, the people want it used for that purpose, the councils agree so — what are they waiting for? I haven't even had an acknowledgment from either of them.

The pressure for another supermarket intensifies. But please, not Tesco! A recent survey published in the Daily Mail shows them to be at the bottom. If we really have to have another supermarket Waitrose would be more in keeping with Tavistock.

If the soulless people who only see life in the terms of supermarket shopping are going to get their way, where is it going to end?

Before long they will be crying out for yet another! Tavistock will soon be a town of supermarkets and charity shops.

Those who value aesthetics and appreciate the uniqueness of Tavistock must stand up and be counted before it is too late.

Terence Scarborough

Uplands

Tavistock

MY preferred solution to the great supermarket debate is to swap Morrisons for Sainsbury's, Lidl's for Waitrose, and have a DIY shop where Focus used to be.

Jewsons and Travis Perkins concentrate on the building trade and don't stock much of the material needed for the home. Focus wasn't the world's best DIY shop, which is, I suppose, why it closed, but you could buy the stuff most of us use most of the time. It seems to me that Tavistock needs a DIY shop rather more than it does another supermarket.

Assuming no-one takes up my suggestions and we are forced to have another supermarket, at least let's have a decent one, ie, Sainsbury's or Waitrose. Tavistock saw off McDonalds a few years ago. Let's not allow the town's standards to drop again.

Dr K J Vines

Kilmantain

Horrabridge

CAN you tell me, does Mr Stephen Gill wear a stove pipe hat, winged collar and muttonchop sideburns? What century is he in?

Also could he please let us know what shops he is trying to protect by constantly holding up progress for Tavistock? Could it be the four pasty shops, the numerous charity shops or the opticians?

Mr Creber must be turning in his grave, what a shambles our High Street is.

I don't know why the church was knocked down, opposite Crebers, but now the derelict building that was the Old Folks' Rest Room is making the place look even worse.

Put this question to the people that live in, and shop in Tavistock.

Surely whatever the outcome is, it would be better than someone making it for us.

Gary Spicer

via email

SO the great supermarket debate goes on. There were three very good letters last week from across the board, unlike the drivel spouted on the front page from so-called influential figures.

Inaccurate comments such as 'Morrisons is only busy at certain times' shows what disregard they have of residents' needs.

Whatever it is the chamber is supposed to be protecting isn't working for the good of the town centre as it is.

Shops are closing or moving away — only this week I had a conversation with a German tourist who was bewildered at the sheer amount of charity shops.

The vociferous chamber opposition gang appear to be more protection racket than protect the town!

D Shea, by email