THERE is a lot more to Stratford-upon-Avon than just Shakespeare; it has for many years been renowned as a quality shopping centre.

The authorities responsible for allowing pre-Christmas markets in the attractive shopping streets of this town are guilty of the equivalent of the dumbing down of Shakespeare to the tastelessness of the penny arcade.

Whilst other towns are struggling to improve the quality of their centres, this town seems determined to appeal to populist demands. The Friday Weekly Market is a fine tradition, but these additional pre-Christmas and craft markets, together with the resulting congestion, merely serve to discourage quality shoppers who will more than likely go elsewhere.

It is untrue that there has been little objection to these markets locally: last Christmas there was plenty reported in the press and furthermore those of us who try to maintain high standards in shopping know for certain that our customers stayed away from Stratford on street market days.

More of us who share these sentiments should speak up.

JEREMY PRAGNELL, George Pragnell The Jeweller, Wood Street, Stratford.