needs

traffic

WHILE trying to take a positive view on most of the opinions expressed in your letters' page I feel I have to respond to Mary Gracie who seems to miss the point.

In her letter she compares shopping in King Street to a more pleasant experience shopping in Altrincham, Wilmslow and Northwich.

On my last visit to Altrincham there were vacant units everywhere I looked.

Wilmslow also has many vacant premises with the developing caf culture - which is outside the pedestrianised area - being its saving grace.

As Mrs Gracie herself points out in her letter, Witton Street in Northwich has at least six charity shops.

Increasing numbers of charity shops are usually an indication that regular retailers are vacating premises as they are unable to make a living in that area.

Charity shops rely on free stock and an exemption from business rates to make a profit. The point is if King Street is pedestrianised we will not only lose the on-street parking, thus exacerbating the existing parking problem, we will also say goodbye to many of our visiting shoppers.

Retailers cannot live on fresh air - they need customers.

We need to show vision in finding ways to cure our parking problems so as to encourage visitors to the town and to keep Knutsford vibrant.

ALEC GUTHRIE

Queen Street

Knutsford