By Geoff Fisher I have read with utter amusement the reports of the last Town Council meeting during which the proposed new store on School Road was rejected by the council following a debate.
From reading between the lines (unfortunately I was not able to attend), the local business community were against the proposal for one reason only – their concerns for their own profits.
I have lived under the impression that we live in a free-market society, where you can set up a business to sell what you want so long as it is lawful. I served in the navy to uphold this very principle.
So how is it that the local business community (which I happen to belong to as a self-employed consultant) can now dictate what facilities we have in this beautiful town of ours?
No one objected when champagne glasses were offered for sale.
What thought has been given to the people in Reepham that cannot easily travel to the larger supermarkets to buy their groceries or any of the other articles that may be offered for sale?
The Spar shop provides a service to the community, but it is overpriced and does not stock a range of goods worthy of such an organisation.
Comments have been made regarding the traffic chaos that would ensue should a shop be located on School Road. But has no one noticed the chaos that occurs when an articulated lorry delivers goods to the Spar?
(I made comment a few months ago regarding the unsightly stack of waste that is allowed to accumulate on the pavement outside this shop as there is no other suitable location for it.)
I challenge the Town Council to hold a referendum for the people that actually live in Reepham so that the silent majority can have the freedom to choose where they shop.
Let us be fair on this important issue; let us get a true feel for the wishes of the town and not be persuaded by the short-sighted, profit-driven lobby that the minority have put forward.
This town is expanding against my wishes, but that is progress. (With a smaller population there were once four food shops in Reepham.)
We therefore have to cater for the demographic mix that we enjoy and not be blinkered by the few.
Phillip Leeder, Cawston Road, Reepham
Geoff Fisher