IF REPORTS are true that Safeway is considering opening a supermarket in Great Harwood (LET, August 26), it would be a vote of confidence in our town. We have been crying out for inward investment.

However, there will be a number of implications. There are obvious benefits of employment, choice and a quality name. Naturally, local traders are concerned about competition. Market forces will dictate who survives, supermarket or not.

The real problem rests on the effect of such a project on the infrastructure of the town. To be successful, the supermarket will have to attract outsiders. The hidden bonus for existing traders is that this could also mean a terrific boost to local shop sales and more employment.

In any future project, I believe that Queen Street and town centre must also be considered. The aim: to produce a new commercial town centre, inclusive of major supermarket. Here is an opportunity for planners to consider a fully-pedestrianised (Victorian or Edwardian style) Queen Street with pavement cafes, textile shops and other stylish outlets as additional attractions to shoppers.

Why not capitalise on this by tarting up the local streets and parks to their original format and design to add ambience, to put Great Harwood on the tourist, commercial and residential map as a place people want to come to.

Far from killing house prices, I am sure the reverse would be true. We are looking at an opportunity to bring back life into our town. Let's get the infrastructure right with a new town plan.

Can our councillors and shop owners see the same vision and benefits?

PHILIP CONGDON, Hindle Fold Lane, Great Harwood.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.