I HAVE been shocked by recent letters in the Shuttle/Times & News concerning the huge fines being handed out at the Crossley Park retail site in Kidderm-inster.

This has led to recipients of the fines stating that they will no longer shop in our town, but instead take their custom elsewhere, to places such as Merry Hill.

I find it hard to believe that such a regime against people who can make our town prosperous even exists, especially when one considers that on my recent visits to stores at Crossley Park during the week (Monday to Friday) I have found the car parks to be barely a quarter full.

I am left wondering whether or not companies trading from their new large stores on the site are doing their level best to entice people to shop locally.

Indeed, my wife recently spotted an item I had been searching for, in a national company's catalogue, so we visited it's Crossley Park store to make the anticipated purchase, but discovered that the item was only available at their "larger" stores, the nearest of which was - yes, you've guessed it - Merry Hill.

However, at the push of a button the store assistant was able to tell the quantity of the item in stock, and stated that if it was paid for there and then, it would be reserved for collection, as it could not be transferred to the Kidderminster store.

We decided to make the purchase and off went my wife to Merry Hell - sorry, Merry Hill.

Unfortunately for Kidderminster, it was not the only item she collected while there, for she had plenty of time to relax and do other shopping and have lunch, without the worry of avoiding a car parking fine.

So come on you traders, get your act together before the site is known as "Cross Off Park".

DAVID GUEST

Hurcott Road

Kidderminster