Supermarket choices

SIR - It was reported in last week s issue that the North Devon District Council Executive would meet on Tuesday, 14th July to decide which Supermarket of three contenders would be given the go ahead to build a new store in South Molton s central developm

SIR - It was reported in last week's issue that the North Devon District Council Executive would meet on Tuesday, 14th July to decide which Supermarket of three contenders would be given the go ahead to build a new store in South Molton's central development area.

It was not made clear what was at stake for the District Council and for South Molton. If Tesco is approved the Council will pick up a reported �3 million from selling them part of the Town's car park to use to alleviate the Council's current financial needs. We are told that �1 million would be earmarked for a subsequent livestock market move but that could be years down the line. South Molton would get a supermarket favoured by less than 20per cent in the latest polls and would have to live with the livestock market and a supermarket fighting for the same inadequate parking space for the foreseeable future.

If either Morrisons or Sainsburys are given the nod both have offered to actively assist transferring the livestock market to the town's industrial park AND promote a much needed modern medical centre for the town.

The district council would receive money from the sale of the current market site but there would be an inconvenient delay caused by the market move and it would have to honour its pledge to part fund the move by that �1 million.

Will the Tuesday decision be swayed by the short term interests of the district council or the long term interests of South Molton?

From past experience I fear that the district's interests will prevail. If so rest assured that a flawed decision will not be the end of this saga.

Tony Martin

South molton