Madam, Is there anyone on Ross Council that can answer the question as to why so many of the well known shops choose Monmouth to trade as opposed to Ross. They now have Joules, White Stuff, Fat Face M and Co, Marks and Spencers Food, Waitrose and Iceland as well as many interesting small privately owned shops. Agreed they also have the charity shops but this town is buzzing.

Ross' Christmas tree is excellent this year but we still have those lights blowing in the wind (half not lit) draped across the street. Would it not be nice one year for the shops to use the flag poles provided and all put Christmas trees in them, as they do in Brookend Street. Talking of which when are we going to get the supermarket we were promised umpteen years ago. But I suppose we must be grateful one of the houses has got new boarding on!

I can only think on this occasion we were unlucky to have such a reliable Fire Service. Had the fire raged on, someone would have been forced to tidy this end of our town. Could someone, through your paper, give Ross residents some answers please?

Sue Kinsey-Smith, Ross

Editor's note: Although I am sure someone from Ross Town Council will be able to give a fuller explanation, as I understand it, shops are entitled to set up business where they wish and it seems as if some of the larger chains do not wish to come to Ross. There is very little a town council can do to encourage them. Also the supermarket was not promised, a company just obtained planning permission and many of the shops in town do have, not just Christmas trees, but also fairy lights which looked beautiful as I drove out of town on Sunday after the successful Shopping Market.