SIR — I have followed the "Butlin's Bashing" correspondence with interest and have finally felt compelled to join in to respond to Barbara Hawker's letter (Free Press July 20).

Does she really want to create a society in which a perfectly legitimate business, responding to the needs of its clientele, can be "obliged to upmarket itself. . . and downsize"?

Who is going to "oblige" them - the government, the council?

Does she really want everything controlled by the state? Fortnum and Mason are too exclusive - make them sell Bernard Matthews Turkeys, Top Shop is too down-market, make them sell Christian Dior. The Nanny State gone mad.

Ms Hawker seems to imply that Butlin's has been responsible for every business failure in Minehead - with the possible exception of horse-drawn carriages.

Butlin's was founded on the premise that a working man should be able to afford a week's holiday for a week's pay. Post war, that was a laudable aim for a business.

There are many families today who cannot afford Center Parcs - or who actually prefer what is on offer elsewhere. Why can they not be catered for?

I believe Butlin's have invested £125 million in recent years to upgrade their three resorts - and will no doubt continue to improve - as all businesses have to if they wish to remain profitable and pay their employees and their rates and taxes.

I suspect Ms Hawker has no experience of the harsh realities of running any substantial business.

If she wants to achieve her stated wish "to get rid of Butlin's as we know it" I suggest she funds a campaign to achieve this, calls a public meeting and invites local retailers and café and pub owners, Butlin's employees - and anyone else with an interest - to pitch in with their views.

They may like to arm themselves with a few facts about the company's contribution in jobs and rates to residents of Minehead.

I have no financial interest in Butlin's and have never experienced what they have to offer, but it seems to me that the arrogance, ignorance and bigoted outlook of some of their critics gives a far worse impression of Minehead to potential visitors and entrepreneurs than Butlin's ever could.

Sandra Jones,

The Close,

Old Cleeve.