CONGRATULATIONS to Blackburn Council, ex-council of the year -- they appear to find it necessary to penalise possibly the only person prepared to invest in the town centre.

I refer to Ian Finch, who has opened a coffee shop on King William Street, and very pleasant it is too!

However, Blackburn Council feel that more food outlets will detract from the area. Has cloud cuckoo land arrived in Blackburn?

In case the council haven't noticed, Blackburn town centre leaves a lot to be desired. We have empty shops, puddles on the freshly laid cobbles as the imported workmen don't appreciate that it rains in Blackburn, barrow boys peddling their wares wherever you turn, but we can't have a deli. What madness!

This is exactly the sort of place that will attract shoppers back into town. But, obviously, rules must be adhered to, even when they are absolutely ridiculous. Incidentally.

Did this same council allow KFC to open on King William Street fairly recently, not to mention McDonald's, or are they not classified as food outlets?

I also seem to recall that there was some dispute about the Halifax bank moving to the area, but I believe the vested interests of the councillors meant that a number were unable to vote on that particular issue.

I hope the council will reconsider its decision, in the light of common sense and good taste.

JUDITH CARTER, Revidge Road, Blackburn.