Keep town alive

Saturday, February 23, 2013
7:00 AM

As a small trader in Budleigh Salterton, I am writing to express my concern that our high street is threatened with becoming something of a ghost town.

This would, of course, affect us all: shop keepers, residents and those who depend on the holiday trade.

One of Budleigh’s attractions has always been the small, independent shops that differentiate the town from others; offering townspeople and visitors a unique experience.

Part of the problem is the financial downturn but the main issue is that the government fails to give support to small traders who are struggling to pay excessive business rates and high rents in the ‘quiet times’.

If anyone out there has any ideas of how to keep our high street alive, it would be great to hear from you.

Perhaps there are some civic-minded people out there who might be interested in investing in a business such as mine?!

Katy Gooding

Via email