Back our local shops (From Maldon and Burnham Standard)

Back our local shops

1:30pm Friday 29th February 2008

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How disappointed I am to learn that our High Street supermarket, Budgens, is to close along with the post office.

Is this yet another nail in the coffin for the continuance of our lovely High Street including butchers, bakers, green grocers and fishmonger?

Worse still, the shop is to be replaced with yet another clothing shop to join Dorothy Perkins, Steadman, Peacocks and Town Row. The fact is, that I don't buy clothes every day but, like many of those using Budgens, buy food on a daily basis.

The closure will surely hit those of us who live in the town, including the senior population who regularly shop on the high street and use the post office services.

Of course, we have Tesco and Morrisons - but these are out of town and many people, including the elderly and less mobile amongst us will find it more difficult particularly if they don't have transport.

What is more, to send parcels and use other post and financial services will now require a trip to the small, inconveniently-placed post office in Washington Road.

The loss of another food outlet may simply mean that more people will forsake the High Street and choose to get in their cars and drive out of town, which apart from not being very environmentally sound, has the potential to further damage the future of the High Street.

Do we really want to see our high street populated with estate agents, clothing shops and restaurants? A thriving High Street should be at the heart of our community - instead I feel that it is on a slow but sure decline.

What a shame.

Prue Plumridge
London Road
Maldon

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