I have a son of 13 and he has never seen Blackburn town centre at its best – only as a poor, decaying once-bustling market town.

The new shopping centre extension was a waste of money. How many more Debenhams, Primarks etc do we need? All towns are now carbon-copy carbuncles.

People want individual retailers, passionate about their trade, who value the friendly banter and custom of us ‘normal’ folk.

Generations of family businesses have been treated with a total disregard for common courtesy by the council, and I hope for one that this backfires on them.

I am a small retailer and I thank my shop for my lifestyle, but more inportantly for the wealth of my customers, not just financial, but their day to day friendly chats with me and a feeling of caring and support.

Blackburn once had this magic ethos, and now I feel glad that my opening hours prevent me from having the time to shop there!

Ossie lass (via email).