DOES someone want to turn attractive Droitwich into a copy of thousands of other shopping centres? Who decided to spend taxpayers' money on changing the shopping centre into something nobody wants? Why were we not consulted?

Many people from the surrounding villages, as well as the inhabitants of Droitwich, visit the town centre very happily for shopping, entertainment and the facilities. A great many of us pay our taxes to Wychavon District Council. We enjoy the unique area, with many trees and shrubs always having been well looked after. This was brought home to me the other day. Before I reached the centre I heard people bewailing the fact that a beautiful old tree had been cut down. I could not believe that a previously caring council had allowed such a thing to happen. Then I saw it!

Things then went from bad to worse. I joined a friend in our favourite coffee house and restaurant, Facets, and saw a letter giving them notice from the end of this month along with the jeweller's beneath, neither of which were offered an alternative site. We were then told that there would be a new, expensive fashionable coffee house on the site of the beautiful and newly-cut down tree.

Will it achieve the comfort, friendliness and ambience of Facets? I am told that the neighbouring ironmonger's also expects to be given the push. They will also be sorely missed.

Jane Warren

Bradley Green

nr Redditch