I AM writing to simply suggest how maybe Dunmow can survive as a retail town in these times of competitive marketing. Firstly, consider where I want a camera film from and some salad from the grubby Co-op. The car park fee of 40p would go on the price of

I AM writing to simply suggest how maybe Dunmow can survive as a retail town in these times of competitive marketing.

Firstly, consider where I want a camera film from and some salad from the grubby Co-op.

The car park fee of 40p would go on the price of these articles, whereas if I go to Tesco they say 'come in, park in our nice clean, wide spaced free car park, we have everything you need - welcome sir'.

In the light of all this, may I suggest somehow the Chamber of Trade, or council find a method of charging 2p for the first hour (we all can do a weekly shop in that time) thereafter 60p per hour or similar.

As a number of Dunmow shops are hanging on by the skin of their teeth, I think any suggestion is worth considering.

As the Dunmow area is now very prosperous, may we have a small Waitrose in the town that does not sell electrical goods, instead of Brights, towels and linen instead of Lloydwaters, compost and plants instead of Pulfords, photo booth instead of Lipsons etc.

Michael Luckin

Address supplied