THE Waitrose debate rumbles on with both sides putting forward subjective arguments in support of their respective positions.

Claim and counter-claim will no doubt continue for some time to come.

However, the pro-Waitrose lobby have for some time, and on numerous occasions, made one simple objective and therefore quantifiable assertion. Namely, that the presence of a Waitrose store in our town centre would increase retail trade throughout Droitwich Spa town centre with the maximum impact being experienced in the High Street.

This claim is easily measured and to settle matters one way or the other might I urge Wychavon District Council to conduct definitive independent market research to determine whether the new Waitrose store has indeed had the desired knock-on effect that they claim.

The good people of Wychavon have funded the development of this building through their council tax and I believe that we all deserve to know whether this investment has been a success.

John H. Nash

Droitwich Spa