I was very surprised to read Mark Goacher’s letter regarding the lessons Colchester Borough Council need to learn in relation to the improvements Leicester City Council have made (Gazette Letters, August 2, “Leicester lessons can be learned”) and his dissatisfaction with our glorified bus stops now so called a bus station, plus the whole Vineyard Street, Osbourne Street area along with our High Street.

I think I am correct in thinking the Green Party that Mark Goacher represents was part of the Labour coalition council that has ruled Colchester for quite a few years, so am intrigued as to why the Green Party didn’t say or do anything when they had a chance.

I do however agree with his comments and especially in regard to the markets.

Many years ago, and I am going back to the 60s, we had a marvellous Saturday market held on the site of the old library, which brought people from the surrounding towns and villages into Colchester.

Not only did they visit the market but other shops in the town also benefited.

If Colchester Council, along with BID, really do want to turn the fortunes of the town around, they should see how much trade a good market brings to the town as a whole and visit the farmers’ market in Bath and the large Thursday market in the small town of Rye, East Sussex.

Not only was the market busy, but the whole of town of Rye was buzzing last Thursday with the shops extremely busy.

Unfortunately the majority of Colchester residents no longer have any reason to visit the town centre unless they want to visit a pub, club, cafe, restaurant, charity shop, barbers or nail bar.

A Foster

Prettygate, Colchester

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