SIR — I was wondering if Jenny Campbell actually read my letter (Free Press June 15) or decided to read between the lines.
The reason for my letter was to highlight that there are too many adult weekends at Butlins.
As for her comments on what happens when Butlins is not open, I have never seen Minehead deserted; I have never seen a supermarket checkout with non-existent queues (if she can let me know which one has these non-existent queues I would be grateful; that would save me going to Taunton).
She mentioned shops, restaurants and bars having fewer customers and struggling to cover overheads - well that is a sign of the times, with or without Butlins.
As to Minehead becoming a ghost town, well the old Threshers off licence has been empty for over a year and have you seen how many other shops are empty?
As for shabby facilities, I think people in and around Minehead are already noticing things changing due to so-called budget cuts from the council (that's another discussion for another day).
Charity shops and we have enough of them - what exactly do they bring to the town? Virtually all of the money they take goes elsewhere.
The answer to your question "When was the last time I supported one of the town's restaurants, cafés or inns with my custom?", well it was last Friday and Saturday, and as it's Friday again I will also be supporting one of them tonight, so I do my bit, and no, I am not one of the proliferation of residents who arrogantly dominate the town's pavements with their mobility scooters (your words not mine).
One last thing, you stated that "when you choose to live in a seaside resort I'm afraid you have to realise one thing - you are going to have to share it with - surprise, surprise holidaymakers!"
This statement goes to show two things:
l You could not have read my letter properly as I commented on holidaymakers, families young and old, so I'm not surprised at all
l You seem to have missed out retired people from your seaside resort statement. In most seaside resorts around the country there is an element of retired people and due to age and/or medical conditions some of these will have to use mobility scooters, but it seems like you don't want them in Minehead.
Just because you can get around on your feet does not mean you own the pavement, they have the right to be there too.
Eamonn O'Byrne,