Welcomes a mixed economy

Dear Sir,

I write in response to Lynn Robinson's letter, "Where are the supermarkets?" (22nd February) about my comments on the loss of retail space at Spend And Save on Lawton Road, Alsager.

As far as I am aware, only part of the Spend And Save premises The rest will remain a retail outlet as it is at present. My point was simply that I welcome a mixed economy within the town centre, both retail and other non-retail businesses.

more carefully during the meeting - but I stand by the point I was making.

If Spend And Save is reducing in size for whatever reason then I would prefer to see the vacated space used for business or ofI'm sure many Alsager residents would feel the same.

On the issue of shopping within Alsager itself, my wife and I often do our entire weekly shopping within the village.

We use Asda, the farm shop and pick up small items from The Spar on Crewe Road or from the mini-Sainsbury when necessary.

Yes, this is more feasible now our kids are away at university than it was when we were all together at home.

I agree that for larger family shopping people often drive out of town. We do that ourselves from time to time. It's a both/and not either/or thing.

I can understand Coun Rod Fletcher's disappointment, and Coun Shirley Jones shared his concerns.

I respect their point of view but think differently to them on this particular occasion.

Equally, I can understand Lynn Robinson's concern but it's not as if there is space on that particular site for the kind of full-scale supermarket she would like to see.

It remains to be seen whether Sainsbury's will build a bigger store off Linley Lane.

Yours faithfully,

(COUN) PHILIP WILLIAMS

Alsager West Ward.