I HAVE been reading with interest the articles on opening a Tesco store and the reasons why local people do not want to invite Tesco to Harrogate.

I agree with all those against having another supermarket enforced on us, but the key reason has got to be that we are killing off our local shops.

Harrogate has some fantastic local grocery, meat and fish shopping opportunities. You only have to go down Cold Bath Road to see how easy it is to buy locally grown, organic fruit and veg from Lengs and in my opinion the best meat in town from Andy Annats.

Go down the Kings Road and shop at Ramus for fresh fish and Regals for fresh fruit and veg. I use to be a supermarket shopper three years ago and made a decision to shop locally. Now I spend on average £20 less per week, have better quality foods, get great customer service as the local stores have got to know me.

Also, I spend less time shopping (I work full time) as I am not wandering up and down supermarket aisles trying to find an essential item, which I can find and reach easily in my local store. Go on, try it, it's a myth that shopping locally is more expensive, it just takes a little more thought, but no less effort.

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