In response to the letters from Nick Cotton and Sam Westmacott last week, I would like to make the following comments.

I was one of the many who did not agree with Watchet Town Council moving to new premises.

I thought the expense unjustifiable in these difficult times and was upset that the town council, to help persuade the public to their side, used an estimate of £80,000 to “restore” the council offices.

I suggested the offices only needed “repairing” at a much lower cost and suggested the council employ a properly qualified surveyor for a more realistic figure.

The council did not do this. Mr Cotton didn’t protest about this at the time so what is the point in doing so now?

The council did move, and the deed cannot be undone. The old offices now need to be sold for the best price in order to repay the loan taken out for the new premises, and this, I hope, means keeping our council taxes from increasing evermore.

Mr Cotton must realise that pledges of £5 here and £1,000 there from well-meaning individuals to save the building for the community could not have assisted the council in balancing the books. What was needed was for Mr Cotton and others to harness the pledges and make a serious offer to the council, but this was not done.

Contrary to Ms Westmacott’s assertion, there was no “benefactor” to purchase the building, nor did the town council put “swingeing conditions” on any sale to make it unattractive to any purchaser, and council tax payers will be pleased to know that it is not being sold at a “lesser price” (though surely the price should presently be a confidential matter between seller and purchaser).

I think Mr Cotton is being sentimental in suggesting that the early councillors purchased the council offices to avoid it being lost to the town or to safeguard its future for generations to come.

I suggest, more likely, the council made a practical financial decision to purchase because the house next door, which they were sharing, was becoming dilapidated and too costly to maintain.

I also suggest to Mr Cotton that, architecturally, the old council offices, without the town council in business there, is not a particularly special building.

The few remaining historical features inside and outside the old council offices are protected, as is the clock, and any future owner of the building will be bound to adhere to listed building regulations. Naturally, the council is selling it with all the safeguards attached.

Swain Street is predominately a commercial street, so I and many others are very glad that the old building may be sold to a thriving commercial business – one which brings people from all over the West into town and has not changed hands for over 15 years, much like Mr Cotton’s.

The fishing tackle business, so pejoratively referred to by both Mr Cotton and Ms Westmacott, is an honest business that needs new premises to continue and expand.

I ask you, what could be more beneficial to the community of Watchet – an ancient sea port and popular fishing venue – than a fishing tackle shop thriving on its main street?

My hope is that Watchet Town Council and West Somerset Council’s planning department will see some logic in allowing the old town council sign to be carefully removed and repositioned where it rightly should be – on Harbour Road (perhaps the conservation society could assist here).

And it would be helpful if permission was given to re-glaze the windows so that the fishing tackle shop can put up its sign and continue to trade – just like the Chinese restaurant, the kebab shop, the optician, the framing and boat bits shop and all!

Let’s stop carping, move with the times and get behind the fishing tackle shop.

I and many others wish it a very happy and prosperous future in its new premises and I look forward very much to having it as my neighbour.t

Dorothea Capper, S