Mr R Pebworth, of Yannon Drive, Teignmouth, writes:

I can tell you why the Co-op store is losing £25,000 a week; it has had a monopoly on prices in this area for too long. They could charge what they liked because there was no competition in Teignmouth.

In the current economic climate, if you are a young mum trying to bring up a family, or a pensioner on a fixed income, as I am, you shop where goods are cheaper. It is a fact that competition drives prices down for the benefit of everybody.

We should all find it very encouraging that a company like Morrisons is prepared to invest in Teignmouth. The Broadmeadow site has been an eyesore for as long as I can remember so any improvement will be welcome.

As I used to commute to Newton Abbot daily, I agree the traffic is a nightmare but the problem is caused by the Tesco Express store in Teignmouth.

Due to the poor design of the petrol station, traffic is unable to get into the pumps so vehicles block the main road. Inconsiderate drivers then try to exit the garage by diving into the path of oncoming traffic blocking the road and causing tailbacks.

All this scaremongering by local traders is not justified; there are fewer empty shops in Teignmouth than in a lot of towns in Devon.

There is trade out there for everybody, you just have to be competitive and offer better service than the supermarkets.THIS AND OTHER LETTERS IN OUR DIGITAL EDITION