MY word, the letter from Mrs Morris (Your Letters, October 25) on the subject of the town centre hit the nail on the head!

When will our district council realise that the development of Townsend Way as an out of town shopping centre sounded the death knell of our shops in the town? Of course the public want to climb into their cars and shop and will not walk anywhere in general. Keep fit and walk is my motto!

Waitrose came into the centre and promptly took over the main car park, helped to banish the Friday market and works against the small traders struggling to make a living. You only have to look at the list of stores at Townsend Way to see why businesses have closed in the town. Halfords, Focus, Safeway, Matalan, McDonalds, Brantano all compete with the town shops.

The appointment of a town centre manager will do nothing for us - it didn't before and just look at Malvern Link which is becoming a home for take-aways.

One of the positive features in the town is the new Tourist Information Centre. We need to have attractive useful businesses here to entertain visitors to our lovely hills. Reduce business rates and rates also.

ALAN PIKE, Worcester Road, Malvern.