FOR more than 35 years I have seen Great Malvern change. The interesting and individual small shops and enterprises that give a town its life and character have grown fewer.

The district councillors promised us that this progressive decline would be halted and the town revitalised by welcoming Waitrose into our midst. We were told that it was to be the much-needed shot in the arm.

Looking around the town today and talking with its traders it would appear that the shot has missed its target and for some it has been instead, a shot to the head.

I am given to understand that some of our remaining individual shops are close to closure having sustained trading losses of between 40-60 per cent since Waitrose opened.

Does the district council care enough to intervene for their survival? How in any case can it help?

Well, it could give 100 per cent rate relief to those businesses that can demonstrate their financial position is perilous and that can be considered essential to the well being of the town centre.

In addition MHDC could give small grants to enterprises of the kind that would then be eligible to obtain much larger grants from outside bodies e.g. West Midland Arts.

Finally may I suggest the council relocate the market into the centre of the town by either temporarily closing streets, as happens in many European small towns and cities or to return them to their old and once thriving location on the 'Waitrose car park'.

The life of a town exists not only in its fountains, theatres and fine buildings but in its diverse and creative small traders.

Do the councillors really appreciate this fact and what is their response?

DAVID E STRUGGLES, Druggers End, Castlemorton.