DURING the 11 years since I moved to Ledbury numerous shops have closed. Generally, shopkeepers that have opened in their place are better quality and more progressive, attitudes that reflect changing tastes of a more cosmopolitan population.

For a chairman of Ledbury Independent Traders Association to foresee Tesco closing every shop in Ledbury is, with respect, blinkered: Tesco is not Wal-Mart (Asda), Ledbury is a thriving town and no professional retailer, such as Homebase, would invest unless rewards were considerable.

Ledbury is not so big visitors cannot quickly see what a fine town it is. To suggest a good first impression for coach visitors would be to drop them off at the dismal end of The Homend outside the vandalised ex-hospital is hardly going to make them think 'wow'.

As for visitors possibly patronising shops they might not otherwise see, shops on the fringe operate in a different market to central positions so would not expect to cash in. In any event, people wander so maybe some shopkeepers don't have what it takes.

Also a sightseer run-up would not necessarily ease congestion. Unless car parking were prohibited, for a coach to manoeuvre a narrowing Homend in the face of lorry heading south or delivery vehicles parked, would result in a jam. At least, by Market House and the war memorial, High Street is wide.

Although I saw opportunity lost in not merging the cattle market site with St Katherine's car park, to limit through traffic, much of The Homend and High Street should be pedestrianised; the site in Bye Street and adjoining buildings compulsory purchased, demolished and car park entrance widened to incorporate coach and bus station, with turning; with Bye and Bridge Streets one-way (except for large vehicles) and one side parking only.

To preserve its heritage, maintain and improve quality of life, what Ledbury needs are businesses able to handle the ups and downs without coming unstuck in times of change.

MICHAEL LEVER, Golding Way, Ledbury.