HERE we go again, urging us to make use of shops, pubs and coffee shops.

We know what is there and use them when appropriate.

It is what’s not there that is the problem.

Katherine Bird says she would do anything to avoid shopping outside Andover.

Perhaps she could enlighten us as to where she would purchase bed linen, curtains, cushions or any household furnishings, etc.

With all the homes being built in the surrounding area, all these items are exactly what they would need but are not available on our High Street.

A specially designed logo and welcoming arches are going to achieve absolutely nothing if we don’t have shops that sell essentials.

One would think the mentioned politicians and business leaders would have some idea how to attract larger businesses to the town.

Of course Andover has a different feel and shopping experience to anywhere else — it is slowly declining and has no heart.

How I long for the market town of years ago and if what we have now is done in the name of progress, it is not working.

June Groves, Longparish