RESIDENTS of Botley are not shopping in Elms Parade.

An interesting article pointed out by Andy the local butcher a while ago and printed in the Oxford Mail.

I couldn’t agree more. I like to shop locally and support local businesses but I like good-quality fresh food with a long best before date.

I was very impressed with the new Waitrose.

I Iike to do most of my shopping in Botley.

I can still do my Aldi shop and get the rest at Waitrose, which didn’t seem any more expensive than the Co-op without the need to travel elsewhere for all the things I couldn’t get before.

But we should be encouraging all the locals to shop at Elms Parade and all the other hundreds of people who visit all the shops in the area who give the Parade a wide berth.

The majority of people don’t want several shops all selling identical products at different prices in a run-down shopping centre.

There is no point in spending any money at all on West Way if every suggestion is blocked by people who can’t accept change.

It is important to create something for the future and not to live in the past.

‘Be careful what you wish for’ the wise councillor said as Doric’s plans got thrown out.

AMANDA FROST
Lime Road, Botley