HEREFORDSHIRE Council leader Tony Johnson is quoted as saying of those who opposed the Old Market development: “It must be a bitter pill [for them] to swallow as the Old Market is now very successful,” (High Town shop set to move into Old Market, Hereford Times, October 23).

This is the second time in recent weeks that Cllr Johnson has misrepresented the true situation. He said essentially the same thing on September 18 at a Question Time event organised by Hereford Civic Society.

The concern for most of those who opposed the development was about the consequent migration of shops, and thus shoppers, away from the traditional retail area centred on High Town.

Assurances – now proven worthless – were given that existing retailers would not relocate. It is still too early to gauge the long-term effect on High Town, but the empty shops are there for all to see.

There is no doubt that the current situation is more complex than this simple shift might suggest.

Nothing stays the same for ever, and quite apart from the impact of online shopping, the desires of retailers for bigger premises and of consumers for convenient parking now work against traditional areas such as High Town.

As both councillors Johnson and Anthony Powers agree, a refurbished Buttermarket will – hopefully – revitalise Hereford city centre before too long.

Meanwhile, Cllr Johnson should choose his words more carefully.

SIMON ALLEN Castle Street Hereford