Why is another new pub being welcomed, when others in town are struggling to survive?

Even on a local scale it seems the silly concept of "unlimited economic growth" must continue, though it may be detrimental to the community.

I have nothing against a bit of friendly competition, but, frankly, there can be no level playing field when the breweries themselves are compromising the pub industry by selling their products cheaply – because of bulk purchasing power – to the likes of supermarkets and numerous booze emporiums and off-licences, which almost give the stuff away.

More homogenised pub chains are unfairly taking the trade away from the traditional town pubs which are run by mainly responsible individuals and families, and the government and pub companies don't seem to care.

The greed of some pub chains is simply unbelievable when they instantly slap the rent up as soon as the landlord has put all his or her efforts into building the business up.

Both Conservative and New Labour governments' policies of allowing this unfairness through market forces have resulted in worsening the so-called "British booze culture". Strange how they try and interfere with many other issues, but so far have declined on this matter.

The recent talks in Scotland about a minimum of 50p per unit of alcohol seems to be a fair way of addressing the issue, but only the Liberal Democrats in England agree and they are unlikely to get in at the next election, according to recent polls.

With very few jobs being created in the town, where is the need for more houses and more pubs?

I suggest we go for "zero growth" and support the smaller and friendlier local businesses that we already have. The supermarkets and big multi-nationals are having it too much their own way. Enough is enough.

Our local pubs and post-offices – what's left of them – are the life and soul of Britain's communities.

Another worrying trend is that our friends at Tesco are moving into the school uniforms business, which could mean them undercutting local clothiers by 40 per cent.

Just sports tops and polo shirts at the moment, but of course the company won't stop there and when that happens you can probably say goodbye to Buxton & Bonnet in Uttoxeter's High Street.

The recent ban by Tesco on the wearing of pyjamas to shop is also both silly and undemocratic.

After all, they should be honoured that some of us, reluctantly, shop there at all.

Fred Hopwood

Transition Uttoxeter