SIR,

On reading last week's Beacon, I could not believe my eyes on seeing the letter "a new day for Monmouth" from Mr Starkie. He has more or less put a lot of the town's problems in a nutshell.

I have, over the years, had a lot of newspaper coverage with some of my out-spoken views on the point that Monmouth town is being let down.

On a social website last December, I asked our residents "what does this town need, will you be doing all your Christmas shopping in Monmouth?" Out of over 300 replies I received, only three people told me they would, all the others pointed out that there are no shops here with reasonable prices for the family, such as Poundland, Poundstores, B & M and Primark, so they would be shopping out of the town.

What is wrong when the town is not even attracting one of these shops? Do we think we are too superior to have these bargain basement shops in our town? We need to think again.

With regards to the play area, I had a letter published in the Beacon a few months ago pointing out that the play areas are in the wrong places, they are out of sight of Chippenham, the furthest point from our main carpark and much too near the A449 and the toxic fumes it gives off.

The play area should be given priority for a move to the top end of Chippenham, a safe area where parents can see and play with their children.

I attended a funeral last week, where I was discussing these points with several business friends.

I actually stopped one of the young caterers and asked him for his opinion on our town of Monmouth.

His words were: "a bit dull and dark, with not many outlets for teens such as myself".

I agree with Mr Starkie, this town of ours needs an urgent uplift.

Start by knocking down our 'bomb shelter' (the toilets at the bottom of town), create a pedestrian area, with tables and chairs and ask the market to trade in lower Monnow Street for one day a week.

Let us show our shoppers and visitors that we need them, make them welcome; our town is slipping behind a lot of others.

John Morgan

(Wyesham)