WE have recently had a visit from relatives from outside the county, and it was exciting to take them to the new development off County Way.

First of all driving along Bythesea Road, parking in Cradle Bridge Retail Park and crossing over the recently opened footbridge bridge to St Stephen’s Place for lunch. Congratulations to all those concerned – this has certainly opened up a long-time derelict area of Trowbridge. Our guests were extremely impressed and will certainly be returning.

There is nevertheless one big ‘however’, namely the centre of the town. How sad that this important area, which includes also a hitherto thriving Shires and Castle Place, is rapidly becoming more and more empty and forlorn.

As someone said in one of your recent reports, Trowbridge is growing more and more like a doughnut – with nothing in the centre!

What of the future? It could be promising. There are now enough coffee shops; no more betting shops must be allowed. Perhaps everyone will not agree, but it is good that we have charity shops.

Over the years they have provided an ever-increasing service, giving help to so many, and filling many spaces which might otherwise have remained empty. Long may they continue to thrive. Also fast food take-aways (within limits), sandwich shops and smaller high-class restaurants with top-class service.

The urgent need remaining must be to fill the ever growing gaps with a mixture of small, independent specialised shops. Neighbouring towns are ahead of us in this.

To quote an old saying “butcher, baker candlestick maker”, with perhaps an old-fashioned fishmonger thrown into the mix.

Surely somewhere out there must be retailers (maybe not the large multiples) ready to move into the larger premises. Perhaps another way to bring back life into the town centre would wherever possible be the conversion of upper floors to residential. Ground floor shops would then be more viable and easier to manage. Last but not least – a reduction in the business rate.

Trowbridge has a unique centre with fine buildings, separated from the new development by our wonderful Town Park; a lasting legacy handed down by past generations.

Just scanning through the adverts in the recent old Wiltshire Times feature was to say at the least nostalgic; a reminder of what has been lost.

Our town centre could also be likened to a sleeping giant, but unless we use it it could, as we know it today, be forever lost.

Stanley H Jones

Horse Road

Hilperton Marsh

Trowbridge