Letter from Dennis Offer (From Swindon Advertiser)

Letter from Dennis Offer

4:40pm Friday 19th March 2010 in

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FIRSTLY, I should like to thank the Advertiser for their excellent article regarding our 25th year in business in Swindon.

Mr Murray's comments regarding the Octagon and the 'regeneration' of the town is exemplified by our plight. Swindon council is determined to build further shops spaces we don't need, knock down buildings which have been standing only 25 years and even worse, add more office blocks, of which we have many which have been empty for more than a decade. Swindon ratepayers should be furious at the lack of forethought and the waste of public money!

I find it unimaginative to make plans for a town centre which has all the same shops and facilities available in every town in England. Successive councils have already destroyed the heritage and history of the town, replacing it with, what now appears to be, temporary buildings.

Surely, the town can be developed into a far more interesting concept with modern, traditional and quirky shops and areas of recreation and leisure, without spending millions on empty concrete boxes and shops no one will fill.

It doesn't take an economist to work out that the diminishing trade in towns is due to internet spending and out of town malls where parking is free, plentiful and convenient. This town council has a clean sheet to work on and create something more attractive and distinctive.

I have tried, for 25 years, to build a craft business with hand made chocolates, pastries, cakes and hot food. I have trained chefs and bakers here and employed up to 30 people at one point, taught, demonstrated and attempted to add something different to a bland bus station. Why destroy what we have built up just to replace it with a lump of concrete?

DENNIS OFFER New Bridge Square Swindon