IN that tiresome way that "old people" drone on and on about, "how things use to be," continually knocking progress of any sort, Margo Grimshaw's Tuesday dip into her negativity chest, never fails to irritate.

It is equally incredulous and irrational for a person in business to constantly go on bleating about "how good other councils, towns and even epochs" are or were in comparison.

It is known that Blackburn has been going through a series of changes these past 18 months and that certain aspects of the "new Blackburn" have not met with "overall" approval.

But business people with Real Vision are still eager to invest in our town, look for instance at the new Fleming Square development, and the recent good news that B&Q are about to invest in the town and provide 300 new jobs!

If I were to criticise Blackburn, and it would be reluctantly having earned a living as a shopkeeper in the town for many years, I would cite the upsurge in bars and nightclubs, and the true backward steps they have brought with them. How on earth can bar owners morally justify their constant price battles, with the aim of relieving already stupefied revellers of their cash and more importantly their health?

Despite this, the town is on the up and up but we are not completely there yet.

Let us see even more independent retail outlets (because make no mistake this is what draws shoppers, not yet more and bigger branches of large multiples that can be seen in any and every town/city), more quality restaurants and a five star hotel which would really do wonders for the towns prestige and local economy.

What we do not need is those within the business community knocking us back even further in the eyes of the shopping public.

JOHN VAUGHAN, Higher Church Street, Blackburn.