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Tesco does not hurt Salisbury's economy

IN response to councillor Edge's letter of last week. which was countering a national paper's slur alleging we are a Tesco town, I would like to make the following points.

First of all I would point out that councillor Edge is a councillor for Wilton, which has its own traffic and shopping problems.

Secondly, his entry in the councillors' declaration of interest shows him to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Small Business Federation, as is council chairman Paul Sample.

So both have interests in the development of our city other than as councillors because of pressure form Chamber of Commerce fellow members behind the scenes as well as from the Small Business Federation.

If Salisbury escaped the worst of the 1960s and 1970s development schemes how come the Old George Mall, built in 1970, had to be pulled down in 1985 and rebuilt.

Only vigorous action by city folk stopped the "road to nowhere" entering the Old George complex and saving our cinema at the same time.

Having said that, we do still have a butcher in Butcher Row and a baker also based on Butcher Row and the Market Square.

Neither Waitrose or Sainsbury's can be called small stores, nor are they unsuccessful judging by their car parks being full all the time. Certainly their quality is better than Tesco's.

If the city is doing so badly then how come one third of the Salisbury Journal is dedicated to the sale of houses and property.

Surely this shows a healthy economy?

But we could, I believe, be called B&Q or Homebase City with the continual desire to go for expensive quick fixes such as the present vision plans.

If the present administration wants to make use of the previous Conservative administration's proposed changes to the city without debate then they must know that they have no good ideas of their own to put forward.

Could I suggest that Salisbury is no one party's play area to change at will, but our home.
COLIN H DULLER, West Harnham

  • COUNCILLOR Peter Edge is absolutely right in challenging the Daily Mail on its story about the lack of retail life in Salisbury Centre.

    The Daily Mail has, once again, reported on a situation which is misleading and inaccurate.

    To print that Salisbury city centre is now a "ghost town" cannot be further from the truth and I can only assume that the reporter must have visited the town in the darkness of night.

    He would have unfortunately missed the small scale multiples and the delightful specialist shops mentioned by Cllr Edge but, had he been there in daylight on a Tuesday or Saturday, he would have also found a thriving market where fresh farm produce, including meat, poultry, fish, bread, beautiful flowers and many household items are available from happy and well patronised stall holders.

    Tesco and the others certainly have their place in this town and I , as a relative newcomer to Salisbury, welcome the shopping choices I have in this popular and attractive town.
    PAULINE JENNER, Salisbury

    12:28pm Thursday 20th March 2008

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    Posted by: Paul Sample, Salisbury on 3:30pm Thu 20 Mar 08
    Colin Duller says that my declaration of interests shows me to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Small Business. He is correct on both points. However he is wrong to claim that I am Chairman of the Council. I am Leader of the Council. Cllr Bobbie Chettleburgh is Chairman of the Council.

    If Colin Duller is a great conspiracy theorist. If he is insinuating that my membership of these bodies, in some way, means I am more likely to support the views expressed by either the Chamber of Commerce or the Federation of Small Business, then he is very much mistaken.

    I take a great deal more notice of the views expressed by the local residents who were good enough to elect me, and the 116,000 local residents who live in the District, than any single individual Group.

    And I don't do rolled up trouser legs and funny handshakes either!

    Maybe Colin should join a few more Clubs of his own and get out a bit more.

    Regards

    Cllr Paul Sample
    Leader of the District Council.
    Posted by: Paul Sample, Salisbury on 3:31pm Thu 20 Mar 08
    Colin Duller says that my declaration of interests shows me to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Small Business. He is correct on both points. However he is wrong to claim that I am Chairman of the Council. I am Leader of the Council. Cllr Bobbie Chettleburgh is Chairman of the Council.

    If Colin Duller is a great conspiracy theorist. If he is insinuating that my membership of these bodies, in some way, means I am more likely to support the views expressed by either the Chamber of Commerce or the Federation of Small Business, then he is very much mistaken.

    I take a great deal more notice of the views expressed by the local residents who were good enough to elect me, and the 116,000 local residents who live in the District, than any single individual Group.

    And I don't do rolled up trouser legs and funny handshakes either!

    Maybe Colin should join a few more Clubs of his own and get out a bit more.

    Regards

    Cllr Paul Sample
    Leader of the District Council.
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