Dear Editor,

I refer to the previous week’s articles ’’work together to bring tourists to the Wye Valley’’ and ’’Camra objection to planning proposal affecting Ross pub’’ . Having spent seven recession affected years in Ross, much of the guest feedback I receive suggests that the demise of the Riverside pub is largely representative of a town that lacks imagination and investment.

More often than not, it takes the objective eye of an outsider to recognise the truest picture. There are almost certainly squatters inside The Riverside Pub, and I find the usual posturing by Camra quite risible. How often do these organisations and structures seek publicity long after a licensed premises has fallen into disrepair? Many pubs and hospitality establishments don’t survive for various reasons. Cost price supermarket liquor being the main reason. What is worse, however, is the lack of imagination about how to arrest the problem and move forward.

I visited both Ludlow and Hay-on-Wye recently and was impressed by the vision and bustle these towns portrayed. Neither are dissimilar to Ross but have consistently and successfully embellished their distinctive strengths. I found Ludlow busier on a Sunday than many other, local market towns are on Saturdays. High Street shops were open and a vibrant antiques fair attracted a healthy audience next to the castle. I regularly host guests who aren’t necessarily able enough to participate in outdoor pursuits. I am then faced with the dilemma of recommending local attractions. Invariably, I find myself defaulting to two, well stocked bookshops and Labels outlet store.

The WyeDeanTourism initiative is laudable but we desperately need definitive outcomes. Ross could easily match these aforementioned towns with attractions such as antique/book fayres and farmer’s markets etc but time is of the essence. Domestic spend will not sustain the restaurants, pubs and hotels of Ross-on-Wye. That much is evident.

Stephen Hubber

Castle Lodge Hotel

Wilton