REFERENCE the letter from C Williamson not wanting 'another' supermarket and the back page article 'Closed for the holiday' May 17:

The independent traders of Tavistock really do need to make their minds up. With one breath they are saying that there is not sufficient custom to support further retail development and that times are hard, and then with the next breath the 'independents' are saying that they will not open on a bank holiday whilst admitting that the national retailers will.

The pannier market will not be open and, according to the chamber of commerce, most of the members will be taking a holiday. The reality is that the independents will be closed for three days, Sunday and Monday and Tuesday bank holidays whilst the nationals will be open, serving the people of Tavistock and visitors alike.

No wonder there are calls for further food and general goods retail outlets on the edge of town. It must be realised by the traders that to get their share of the market that Tavistock is more than just West Street and Brook Street.

C Williamson criticises the writer of another article for going elsewhere to shop. Well, C Williamson, I can tell you that from where I live in Horrabridge the direction of travel for employment and major purchases is towards Plymouth it is not towards Tavistock.

Plymouth obviously has more employment opportunities but also has more retails outlets both in the centre and outlying areas. Shoppers know that the shops will be open even on weekends and bank holiday, attracting business and trade, not shut up in some sort of ghost town. To attract custom and create local employment that will stem the travel away from Tavistock, new and vibrant retail and business opportunities have to be created and this will not be done by shunning custom and locking doors.

Oh, and by the way, yes, I have been self-employed, yes, I have run a small business and yes, I did have to work at weekends and bank holidays to suit customers' needs. And yes, I do use my local village shops and post office and shop in Tavistock but I also shop in supermarkets.

Cllr David Cloke

Walkham Ward

West Devon Borough Council