I was surprised and disappointed to read in the Cornish Times (09.10.09) that the Somerfield store in Liskeard is to be sold to Eurospar.

When the Co-op's takeover of Somerfield was announced at the beginning of this year, I suggested to the town council that it would benefit Liskeard if they could get Waitrose interested in purchasing the surplus store.

As part of the John Lewis Partnership, Waitrose is effectively a local business, because all profits are shared equally among the staff so money generated stays in the local economy.

Although the council were sympathetic to my argument, Councillor Tony Powell said that he understood that the Co-op did not intend to sell to another food retailer. Now it seems that they are going to do precisely that, so Liskeard will end up with two Co-op stores and two Spar stores – hardly the kind of choice that attract shoppers back to the town centre. Is this really what we want?

Of course, there's still the Cattle Market redevelopment, but in the current economic climate that's unlikely to happen anytime soon. Meanwhile Liskeard limps along, hoping an occasional injection from the French Market will keep us alive.

Now there's a thought! Next time the Lions can't get the French Market for St Matthew's Fair, why not have a Cornish Market featuring all our local food producers, who are every bit as good as the French? What's more, the produce is always available, not just once or twice a year. And maybe our market could start visiting France.

JANET STANTON

Liskeard