Is the threat of Tesco in Helmsley really the death knell for the town?

If claims that 95 per cent of the townsfolk do not want the store are true then if these people do not shop there such a store would lose money and close.

The only realistic threat of a Tesco store in Helmsley would be to the other two small supermarkets.

Helmsley shops offer something different that Tesco cannot offer and that is what appeals.

As a regular visitor to Helmsley I would not shop at Tesco. I like the other town shops and bakeries.

As for claims that Tesco would open the floodgates for other chains, what tosh. Chain stores target larger towns with much bigger populations.

Look at Leyburn, Bedale, Masham, Boroughbridge and Kirkbymoorside. All similar in size and population to Helmsley and all devoid of chain names. Even towns double the size and population of Helmsley, such as Stokesley and Easingwold, are too small for the chains to be interested.

If townsfolk want to help the shops of Helmsley then surely a campaign about the planned axing of the bus to and from York should be launched. As a car-less regular shopper to Helmsley, the planned bus cuts will leave many people unable to get to the town to spend money. That will affect every single business.

Dale Edwards, Newborough Street, Bootham, York