AS one who does not do the family grocery shopping (I leave that to my wife), I do not have a vested interest in the question of having another supermarket in Tavistock, or not.

However, I do have an opinion on the subject. Surely three supermarkets within a stone's throw of each other is a bit over the top. It is bound to create a price war between them and whilst initially this would benefit  the consumer, it would only be a matter of time until one of them fell by the wayside.

As for driving to Plymouth because the parking is easier, is it really less stressful to shop in Plymouth than Tavistock? I think not.

The parking at Morrisons and Lidls seems perfectly adequate and the proximity of them means you could quite easily park in one and shop at the other, or is that not the done thing?

I suggest that the reason people shop in Plymouth is not to save a couple of pence on a packet of peas (the cost of petrol to get there would more than offset that), but for other reasons not related to food at all.

Surely what Tavistock is crying out for is a DIY store like Focus was, not a fourth supermarket.  

Tony Rushbrooke

via email

IT is not unusual to read about someone who decides to make his home in a country village, yet before long he is trying to silence his neighbours' cockerel, the church bells and clock chimes. Then he wants the village to be lit up with bright streetlights.

The answer is simple: If he doesn't like the country atmosphere the way it is, instead of trying to change it for those who do he should move back into the town!

What a shame then, that instead of valuing the uniqueness of Tavistock as a beautiful, small country town, there are persistent individuals who seem to want to make it the same as every other town, in their soulless pursuit of shopping.

Can they not get it into their heads that those of us who appreciate the special nature of Tavistock do not want it spoiled by another major supermarket?

If they do not like the town as it is, the answer is simple: Go and live in Plymouth!

There are plenty of supermarkets to keep them happy there.

Terence Scarborough

Uplands, Tavistock

ALTHOUGH I live in Cornwall (just) I invariably come to Tavistock to shop. Letters in the Times (November 22) expressed concern regarding the preservation of the town centre — I think most people are quite proud of the pannier market and shops in Tavistock.

With town centres under greater threat than ever before, the essential ingredient for its survival is customers — and especially for those shops selling high quality goods.

The question is how do you attract more customers to the town?

You therefore have to ask yourself what do people buy on a frequent and regular basis?

The obvious answer is food.

A recent independent study, covering Tavistock and Okehampton, carried out by West Devon Borough Council, revealed that Waitrose attracted more shoppers than any other store, including Morrisons and Co-op.

This would indicate that allowing Waitrose to open a branch in Tavistock would attract many more shoppers, shoppers who would then visit the town centre for their other requirements.

For those wanting a replacement DIY for Focus Do-It-All, although they do not carry the same range of goods, do not forget both Tinhay and Jewsons, in Pixon Lane, and Travis Perkins on the Plymouth Industrial Estate.

Mrs M Fiske

Callington