Crap Towns author Sam Jordison visits Didcot (20th 'crappiest in the UK') (Oxford Mail, December 12) and says that the Orchard Centre is a blot on the town's landscape with its "chain stores" and "parasite shops", which offer "no benefit to the community".
On the previous page, you report that Oxford City Council is planning to raise rents in the Covered Market by 80 per cent, potentially driving out small independent businesses.
It seems the city council is doing its best to turn Oxford's most individual, vibrant and diverse shopping area into a clone town of chain stores.
Only large businesses will be able to afford the new higher rent.
Oxford's individuality will be further eroded and our city will continue looking ever more like 'crap', bog-standard clone towns up and down the country. each with identical high streets lined with the same set of big name chain stores.
Who knows, maybe the city council is aiming to overtake Didcot in Mr Jordison's next publication.
SIMON HARDING Manor Road Bladon
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article