Five years ago I wrote to the Oxford Mail complaining that all the independent shops were disappearing and that Abingdon was dying.

I also predicted that Abingdon would be dead within five years.

But please do not think I am writing to gloat over the state of Abingdon now.

What I am writing about is the fact that we have a brand new WHSmith’s which has just opened. For a start it is right next to a perfectly good bookshop, so what does Smith’s do?

The shop is crammed with books, and also stationery, papers and sweets – all of which are sold just across the precinct.

Both of these shops are independents so are not likely to last very long.

What would have been much better would have been having Smith’s selling CDs, DVDs and computer games. These are the products that Abingdon needs (I know Tesco sells them, but not everybody likes to traipse down to the other end of town).

Why are these large stores allowed to open and sell only the products that our independent traders sell?

Unfortunately this is one new store that we could have done without.

Rosemary Waters, The Willows, Culham, Abingdon