SIR,
Like many letter writers in last week's Beacon, I was delighted to see Agincourt Square once again coming alive with market stalls, only to be disappointed a few days later to hear the news that our council will not be allowing the return of the Friday and Saturday market.
Then we are told that Monmouth is likely to lose its Tourist Information Centre (TIC), even though this was planned to be an integral part of the renovated Shire Hall.
It is difficult to believe that our council actually lives in the same world as the residents and business people of Monmouth.
In spite of the obvious overwhelming support and common sense reasons for the return of the market to Agincourt Square, Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) appear to totally ignore the needs and wishes of those they serve.
It beggars belief that Agincourt Square is now further threatened by the possible substitution of the TIC with touch screen information, and that a proper centre is not considered a fundamental necessity for a tourist area such as Monmouth and the Wye Valley.
The importance of the TIC is documented on MCC's own web site, but apparently this is being disregarded by the decision makers on this issue.
With the current financial situation, the county council is no doubt faced with many tough decisions, but surely the closure of the TIC is both short-sighted and a false economy.
It appears that following the huge cost of the Shire Hall renovation, our council is now hell bent on creating a sterile atmosphere in and around it.
However if the council has some plan to recreate the vitality of the Shire Hall and Agincourt Square, without its long established market and TIC, perhaps they would like to allow public debate on their proposals.
Jim Duncan
(Monmouth)