WE have owned a business in Droitwich Spa for four-and-a-half years and are keen to see the town as a thriving shopping centre.

We also think that the style of the building for Waitrose leaves a lot to be desired. Building design moves on, whether we like it or not.

If it did not we would still be living in mud huts with thatched roofs and arrow slits for windows.

However, Waitrose is next to the High Street and within easy walking distance of the businesses in the Salter Centre and Victoria Square.

Hopefully Waitrose will bring more shoppers to Droitwich, particularly as its Kidderminster store is to be closed.

Those who still persist in the criticism of the decision to build houses and apartments and not a supermarket at Kidderminster Road do not appear to accept the proven fact that out-of-town superstores destroy businesses in town centres. Is this what Mr Brant (letters to the Advertiser) wanted for Droitwich?

I suggest Mr Brant visit Dorchester, a thriving town of many small businesses, with a Waitrose next to the High Street.

Current house building initiatives from the Government are to use "brownfield sites" within or close to town centres.

This is being done in and around Droitwich.

At least some of the people in these criticised housing developments are bringing much-needed additional sales to Droitwich businesses.

Mr Brant's chosen words with regard to a "parish poll... overwhelmingly in favour of... a supermarket" hide the fact that the total number of voters in this poll was only a small proportion of those who live in Droitwich.

The independent businesses in the town centre were overwhelming in their opposition to the building of an out-of-town superstore.

From 1987 to 1998, my wife and I ran a small village shop and post office in rural Cumbria. Throughout all rural areas small independent businesses have one motto - "use it or lose it". This now applies to town centre shops.

James and Carole Shuttleworth, Petcare, St Andrews Street, Droitwich Spa