Shoppers have backed a stinging attack on Hadleigh by a boss who labelled the place a "ghost town".
George Prentice, company secretary of Choice Discount Stores' shop in Rectory Road, Hadleigh, said the town was a "sad and dying place".
He was backing pleas by McDonald's for a new sign outside its new restaurant in High Street.
But shoppers were not convinced the new McDonald's will make any difference to the town's popularity.
Kirsty Gridley, 28, of Ash Road, Hadleigh, said: "I agree Hadleigh is a ghost town and I don't think McDonald's will bring trade. It is not in the centre and people will just go in, get their food then leave the area.
"There are some nice shops here, but not enough - a lot of places have closed down here."
Sheila Appleby, 66, of Elm Road, Hadleigh, said: "The shops are all similar, building societies, lawyers or estate agents, not the sort you go to every day.
"What we need are some nice new shops. I don't know if McDonald's will bring trade, it is not really in the right place."
Elaine Martin, 46, of Manor Road, Benfleet, said: "Hadleigh is really a ghost town. There are not many shops and McDonald's won't make a difference. There is not much to do here and it is mainly kids who use McDonald's anyway."
Published Friday, January 3, 2003
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