LETTERSFrom Beverly Lakey, Niton:
FURTHER to the recent correspondence regarding the independent shops of Watchbell Lane and Holywood Street in Newport may I point out that all of our towns have a wealth of great little shops.
The fact is, most shoppers go no further than the supermarket car parks and are then bound to buy all of their shopping under one, often expensive, roof.
Yes, the parking is free, however the time limits imposed do not allow time for a wander round town.
To escape this consumer trap I bought a shopping trolley (George Bull’s, Newport) and have turned my weekly shop into a pleasant walk around Newport’s edges.
A circular walk taking in Scarrot’s Lane, Nodehill and Holyrood Street provides everything from fresh bread and cakes to local vegetables and milk.
My money goes so much further this way as not only are prices fair, I buy what I need without superstore distraction.
Free on-street parking is available providing one is willing and able to walk for five minutes.
I never would have thought I'd be singing the praises of a granny shopping trolley, yet it has enabled me to change the way I shop, enjoy my visits to town and be free of the impersonal service and queues found in the superstores.
It saves using plastic bags too, so please, don’t laugh at us trolley trundlers, we keep the towns alive.