SIR — What is happening to Minehead as a tourist destination?

Having worked within the tourist industry in Minehead for 15 years I have real concern about the general appearance of the town.

We have many visitors that have been coming to Minehead year after year with comments to us in the past as to how they loved Minehead because it was always so clean and tidy with wonderful flower beds and well-maintained grass areas.

Unfortunately, for the first time in those 15 years, we have had visitors coming into our office saying how scruffy the town is looking.

Their main concerns have been the uncut grass verges and the general decay of the town, with empty shops with no attempt by the owners to make them at least clean and tidy, especially the old Threshers Wine shop which is a disgrace.

It was even pointed out to us that some 25 street lights along the Promenade were not functioning.

In my opinion this is the start of a very dangerous slippery slope for Minehead as a tourist destination.

Visitors notice the detail, they look at the town and their impression is that we are beginning not to care.

As a town we are a one trick pony. People do not visit our town to shop, to gaze at our wonderful buildings, they come here to holiday, some for a few days, some as day visitors.

Once we let things start to deteriorate will they come back? Probably not! They will find other destinations where the local authorities keep up the standards which they justifiably expect.

That will lead to more businesses failing, more empty shops and so the cycle goes on.

I have been in touch with local councillors on these subjects and in my opinion they just don't get it.

We as a town have nothing other than the income from our visitors to make our town a success. Visitors will look at our failings and come to the conclusion that we just do not care.

I beg West Somerset Council to reconsider many of its decisions and get our town back on track.

Derek Blay,

Old Farm Road,

Minehead.