Our councillors could learn a lot from looking at the big supermarkets model for business. Firstly they ensure large free car parks!!!

Has any one else noticed Tesco's introduction of pick n' mix sweets? Is this a direct attack on the wonderful new sweet shop in the high street?

Free car parks... apparently there is a lot of revenue to be had from an almost empty car park. I think the voucher scheme didn't really go far enough though, as people who are going manage to part with a tenner probably don't mind paying to park while they get their items of £10 or more from a single retailer. Its everyone else who wants to look at something, or who wants a paper, quick coffee or sandwich. You cant find a free space within one lunchtime, so whats the solution? Tesco's. You have to admire them (seriously)...in business if you spot a competitor's weakness (in this case the entire town is the competitor) then you should capitalize on it. Penny's Sweets are going to be a target because its the kind of shop that makes the high street visitable and have a je ne sais quoi factor that could give the good old high street the edge. This isn't anti-corporation paranoia, its simple business sense, and I in no way resent Tesco's or the like their success as they are responding to what is around, there just needs to be a 'climate' where the high street is able to respond in-turn, and to come out fighting. That shouldn't mean saying no to any big businesses/chains taking a store in town though, after all it is New Look and Boots that the marketplace still misses so much.

Sorry to be a little vague, but this sounds about right. When there was a suggestion of a new pharmacy somewhere (it might have even been the one at the Park practice) there was an objection from Evercreech, and I seem to remember pharmacists being up in arms because this rule about a certain number being close to each other because the supermarkets in-shop ones didnt have to abide by it. I dont know about a covenant but little arrangements with big outcomes seem to get handed out like sweets in shepton.

I like the sweets theme! Free parking just seems like a no brainer. Im sure I read John Parnham saying it would cost mendip heaps to do, but its bound to pay off pretty quickly Id reckon.

Yes, lack of affordable parking is what puts many people off visiting town centres; it certainly does me. The idea of Saturday afternoon parking free for esample seems to be a good compromise, and could work.