IT SEEMS that Corsham is not what it was. Well, from my weekly visits to the town, I have only praise for the independent shops (a rarity in many towns now), which line the high street. There are several worth a mention. The Green Ginger health food shop is as good as you will find anywhere. There is also a long-established butchers shop, and a truly wonderful book shop. Opposite the Post Office there is a well-known jewellers. These shops exemplify best service to customers, which includes a warm welcome and friendly, knowledgeable help.

Nearby is a retail park where one can find a supermarket, together with a Boots chemist, a bakers, greengrocer, household goods shop and cafe. To name but a few points of retail activity.

In Corsham there is ample car parking space, which is necessary to encourage shoppers and day visitors to stay awhile. The town hall and surrounding stone buildings were recently used to film parts of the very popular television series Poldark.

As to the “demise” of our town centres, there are many reasons, but looking at the incentives needed to help people start up a business and stay put, it is spectacularly obvious that premises in most, if not all, town centres, must be made available at much reduced rates than presently exist.

David Harvey, Brookwell Close, Chippenham