I AM as keen as anyone to ensure the survival and importance of Urmston town centre, as covered in your recent correspondence.

This will only happen if local traders change their outlook and attitudes, instead of behaving as if the community owes them a living.

I recently purchased a product from a Urmston shop, and suggested that a small price discount was in order as the product had been damaged on display.

The trader refused, saying he could obtain a full credit from his wholesaler if he wished, and if I didn't like it I could go elsewhere.

I was amazed that the shopkeeper wasn't prepared to spend 50p to keep me as a customer after 20 years.

Urmston will not survive against this attitute.

M J Ellis.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.