CLLR Peter McCaull is a little naive if he thinks building more out-of-town superstores around Leominster will result in “more choice”. Is he unaware of what is going on?

The big retailers are using ruthless tactics, including the much-criticised ‘price flexing’, to drive competition to the wall. Shoppers are the losers because of less competition/choice.

Cllr McCaull has unfairly criticised the Friends of Leominster campaign whose purpose was to act as a rallying point in the spirit of the 1990s ‘Loyal to Leominster’.

Cllr McCaull spoke at the Friends’ public meeting when representatives of the store developers and many objectors took part.

From late 2012 when the superstore plans were unveiled the applicants enjoyed substantial news coverage. No other view was being heard and this was due, in part, to Leominster having no constituted Chamber of Trade.

It is true that Friends of Leominster has no website and no resources, but the initiative has made a fruitful attempt in uniting many customers, traders and tourism interests.

Continuing as a Town Centre Action Group, it has carried out rigorous study of planning files, circulated briefings to local businesses, submitted well-researched responses to the authorities and organised detailed traders surveys.

A young trader, David Mifflin, was our spokesman at a packed meeting of the county planning committee and was widely complimented for his impassioned plea not to push Leominster town centre “over the edge”.

Leominster Civic Society came out with guns blazing following a forensic study of the plans. A local architect designed a campaign poster and residents worried about flooding at Porters Mill Close and Mill Street launched a petition.

County councillors got the message and both applications were refused.

Now the developers have come back with new plans, members of the public are again at liberty to make their comments.

The action group briefing sheet showing how to respond is available at Parry’s Fruit and Veg, High Street.

JOHN CROWE Pierrepont Road, Leominster