Sir, - I write in response to Anthea E Rawlings' letter (D&S, Sept 26) regarding Richmond as a market town. I agree that sadly the town is lacking in that it does not provide every shopping opportunity. That would require locals to patronise the shops regularly or even the most enthusiastic shop owner would have to admit defeat.

However, with internet and out of town shopping the norm, high street custom is not what it used to be and retail is a high risk venture.

Praise instead those Richmond businesses that have withstood the test of time, Meynells, Castle Hill Bookshop, The Wives Kitchen, Warnes, Mortons and Hamiltons butchers et al, reliable independents that are all too rare.

At least if one was to venture to our other market towns, those retail gaps would be more than filled, and don't forget all those businesses up at Gallowfields.

With regards to Ms Rawlings' comments on The Station, I'm not sure on what principle exactly she chooses not to visit. I have run the bakery there six days a week for the last six Years. I and my four staff are all local, we use local tradesmen and all our ingredients are sourced as close to home as possible. I'm not sure whether Gregg's or Thomas the Baker would claim that.

The rent and rates are on a par with my last high dtreet shop. We do not get a discounted deal down here.

I opened the bakery because I love the Station Building and our rents go a long way to keeping it open, but we need people to visit for it to be viable.

We are not in competition with Richmond, we are part of it and constantly direct visitors to the town centre.

So, I ask you Ms Rawling, please don't make up your mind before you have even crossed the threshold, never mind Cllr Parsons' dark glasses, take off your blinkers and come take a look, we're a friendly bunch.

ALEX FRANKS

The Angels Share Bakery, The Station, Richmond.