I READ the letter from Mark DeOweneley (October 3) ‘We don’t need even more competition’ with great interest. I personally think when the Booth’s store opens next summer in Ripon, it will make or break the small shops in the city. With the economic situation getting worse with the credit crunch, I’m sure this makes it a real cause for concern.

On the plus side the store is creating over 90 new jobs, which will go towards helping to keep unemployment down. Riponians have always been local shoppers, but with fewer Riponians now living in the city this also affects the small shops trade. I’m sure the new store will bring more visitors, but will these shoppers be looking at the price or the personal touch you find in the small shops.

At the moment it is somewhat a grey area as regards what will happen in a year’s time to the small shops. But come next winter, when there are fewer visitors about, and with the credit crunch biting like the cold winds blowing through the empty streets, will there be more shops closing down to add to the ones which are closed down at the moment? Only time will tell.