Your Comment (August 3, 'Welcome boost for local shops and suppliers') had an excellent, positive response to the proposed Lake District currency, and the Coop sourcing food and drink locally.

It went on to voice concerns that proposals for out of town stores for Marks and Spencer and Aldi would hit the local independent retail sector. But also saying that '300 new jobs should not be sniffed at' merely repeats the marketing speak of the retail giants.

The loss of local jobs that would come from the incursion of these majors would be several times the 300 taken on in these new stores - a net loss of employment opportunities.

Roger Bell

Ambleside