SIR,Having read the small article in last week's Beacon by Miss McCarty concerning the re-establishment of Monmouth Market outside the Shire Hall, I feel I must make representation on behalf of the shopkeepers, traders and residents of Monmouth town and its visitors. There has been a market at the top of the town for centuries and why this should be any different today beggars belief.There appears to have been an impasse since work began on the Shire Hall and the article in the Beacon suggests there is to be extended procrastination, which is detrimental to the whole town and its prosperity.Why can't Monmouthshire County Council and its officers let business return to normality as soon as possible?Jeana Hall(Monmouth)

SIR,The article giving the market update in the Beacon (9th March 2011) was unbelievable.Yes, there has been "much speculation", about the return of the general market to the Shire Hall; the speculation has been about when the market will return.At no time has Monmouth's community speculated that the market would not be returning.Monmouth inhabitants want the market back in the square.It is disgraceful that the promise made to return the market to the Shire Hall after the renovation of the building, is now on hold.This promise was made by Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) when community support was required for the Heritage Lottery application.Has this promise been whitewashed from the application now that the Shire Hall renovation is complete?After three years of the market's temporary relocation, MCC "has been considering the way forward for markets across Monmouthshire...looking at a development and business plan to ensure their continuing vibrant contribution to the county".Monmouth wants the market to be vibrant in Agincourt Square, not wasting away in the cold, windy car park.Returning the market to the square this spring should give no hindrance to the MCC considerations. The considerations could continue during the months we enjoy shopping in the square.The Development and Business Plan "should be ready for discussion with interested parties within a few months".Will these interested parties be the chosen few, ticking the boxes for public consultation?We need a public meeting with county council officers to hear their considerations.E Dean(Rockfield)

SIR,I am absolutely astonished that, once again, our council officials have made a complete mess of the Monmouth Market siting.The market has been in the town square for centuries.Monmouthshire County Council has had more than two years to plan for its return to the square once the Shire Hall refurbishment was complete.To now have the audacity to say that they are developing a plan for the return of the market, which will only be ready for discussion in a few months time, is a real disgrace.We were promised the market would be returned to the square and we expect it to happen now.Barry Humphries(Troy Way)

SIR,When is there going to be a public meeting about the return of the market to it's right and proper place in front of the Shire Hall?The market traders were promised by Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) that they could return as soon as the renovations were completed. Were they lying?Most of the traders do want to be there and the town needs the market to liven it up for tourists and locals.What a waste of our new, smart Shire Hall, which currently looks like a mausoleum.It could be a colourful and lively attraction adding to the uniqueness of our town.Come on MCC, wake up and listen to what the people who live here are telling you. Lesley Gann(Monmouth)

SIR,Is Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) trying to destroy our town by ensuring that the market stays in a barren car park?The latest decision to keep the market out of the square while a plan, which will only be ready for discussion in a "few months time" is developed, is ridiculous.This issue is rapidly turning into a farce of 'Pythonesque' proportions.Promises were made and not kept, decisions were taken and then denied, and proposals were being considered but now appear to have vanished.Is it not now obvious that we cannot believe anything that county officials say?We have heard nothing from our elected representatives who should be fighting to restore the market to its rightful and traditional place in Agincourt Square.The people of Monmouth are demanding its return and if MCC are unwilling to call a public meeting then one should be held anyway, where perhaps our councillors could tell us why they are remaining quiet on this issue.Annica Neumuller(Monmouth)

SIR,When Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £3.1 million to renovate the Shire Hall, the strap line 'A hall for all' was used.This included the general market and the customers from the community who used it.In April 2008, as market customers, we understood why the general market was moved to the cattle market during the renovation work.But the Shire Hall area was cleared of security fencing for the Rolls Centenary Celebration on 12th July 2010.Why are MCC officers starting to look at Development and Business Plans, at this late stage – three years after the market was temporarily moved?It is time to take action. People should boycott the Shire Hall until the market is returned there.N Deacen(Overmonnow)

SIR,What are our elected representatives doing?It seems that councy council officials can make decisions which are against the wishes of the vast majority of the Monmouth electorate.The latest fiasco concerning the so called "decision making process" regarding Monmouth Market is just another case in point where county officials are riding rough shod over the wishes of the traders, the independent retail community and the people of Monmouth.Not to mention that the market has traditionally been in the square and officials promised that it would return when the Shire Hall works were completed.We are now supposed to wait another "few months" while a plan is developed. Isn't it time that our elected officials did something about this?On another point, Sunday was a gorgeous, sunny day and guess what. The Shire Hall was all locked up.Are we trying to attract tourists or not?B Jones(Monmouth)

SIR,Following the statement in last week's Beacon that the decision has been delayed about moving the market back to the Shire Hall, I would like to ask that the impact of moving the market to the bottom of town has made on the shops in Agincourt Square and Church Street, be considered.Shoppers have less incentive to come to the top of town and people are not getting to the shops there on Fridays and Saturdays as before. These businesses seem to have been forgotten by those making plans around a table at County Hall.We already have limited parking in the town. Can 35 parking places be given up to the market traders every Friday and Saturday, when we are trying to attract visitors to Monmouth?I know that provision was made in the planning of the Shire Hall for storing market equipment.Please take into account the wishes of the people of Monmouth and move the market back. This was promised to traders and shoppers three years ago.(Name and address supplied)