Sir, How gratifying to see (Herald, Nov 12) that Wantage has won an award for having lots of businesses going and being nice.

Nevertheless there was, until recently, a popular, affordable shoe shop, looking out at King Alfred’s statue, but the people who plan these things have decided that it should go.

There are already more than 20 restaurants and cafes in the centre of Wantage, so the people who plan these things have decided to replace the single shoe shop with (can you guess?) another restaurant: a big one!

Well, the new, big restaurant looking out at King Alfred’s statue will probably force the closure of some of the others.

When that happens, will they let us have an affordable shoe shop again in one of the soon-to-be vacant premises?

V S Diamand South Charlton Farm Lark Hill Wantage