Dear Portobello Shopkeeper

[Guest]

Dear Portobello Shopkeeper

We thought you might appreciate some direct feedback from us, your customers. The vast majority of us don't want this superstore, we want to support our local traders. But, let's face it, some of you are going to have to pull your socks up.

You need to organise yourselves. Some of you need to get together to re-launch a traders association and you need to be represented on the Portobello Community Council - it meets 10 times a year, so it's not an onerous task.

We want you to stock a better range of products, so that we are not tempted to shop elsewhere. For starters, Ali wants fresh tarragon and I want fresh coriander. Can you fix it for us?

[Epykat]

Or how about any potential shopkeepers giving us some shops that visitors might want to go to - Mulberries is a good example already, so is Projections. Visitors don't want a pile of Tan Stands, Hairdressers and Travel Agents - they want craft shops, nik nak shops, places they can buy nice things. The High Street has to have a cross section. Yes, we need the food shops for the locals, but we need something to attract people who just want a stroll along the road on a Sunday afternoon after they've been to the beach (to help them forget about the carbuncle and the paddling pool!!)

[Sandra]

[Gedge]