SIR — I have read many reports over the years in various publications regarding the effect on communities when faced with the loss of local shops or pubs, but I never realised that it could have such a profound negative impact until our little community lost our local pub.

Once a thriving pub/restaurant, our local pub served as the community hub for most. It was a popular place to meet and eat.

It had several skittle teams, folk musicians used to gather once a fortnight, themed evenings, we even had casino evenings when the local residents would try and "out dress" each other with the ladies in evening gowns and the men in evening dress - great fun and such a positive way to retain old friendships and the potential to make new friends.

People moving into a new area always make a visit to their new local pub as a matter of course to meet their new neighbours. All gone now.

The village pub is so much more than somewhere to get a drink.

Many years ago a landlord of a very successful village pub in West Somerset told me that there was no big secret to having a popular pub, it's simple: "The village pub should be like an extension of your own lounge," he said, and that is why he was so successful. Comfortable, welcoming, friendly, relaxing.

So why do these little popular pubs close? Cheap beer and wine at supermarkets? Drink driving laws? There are many reasons.

The difficult question to answer, however, is that although it is understandable for unpopular empty pubs to close, why is there a fashion for these "popular" pubs to close?

In this area every pub and shop is clamouring for some business from EdF, whether that is providing accommodation, catering services, meeting venues -, everyone has registered as potential suppliers.

Some are already seeing the benefits of their registration with increased food and drinks sales and guaranteed use of letting rooms. With the almost inevitable increase in worker numbers, these business opportunities can only improve.

So why would a popular pub, closest to the construction site, not register for all these opportunities? Why indeed would it close its doors even before the opportunities have been tested?

One reason given was that there was no passing trade to boost income. This perceived loss of potential passing trade has not been observed by anyone else in the area.

The actual number of vehicle movements has increased substantially with the build-up to the preliminary works at Hinkley Point, and this number was itself increased recently with the annual outage taking place and a desperate lack of local accommodation for the large influx of engineers and other trades.

During the late summer and early autumn it was almost impossible to find anywhere to eat that wasn't booked up with visitors to Hinkley Point!

Over the years our local pub has been a significant employer. Chefs, waiting staff, bar staff, cleaners were all employed from the local area and many went on to further catering training, some having now secured well paid employment in larger catering establishments.

This local employment opportunity was a real boost to a sustainable local economy.

Unfortunately we live at a time when a business is worth a lot less than a large private house in the country. A time when social responsibility no longer means very much, and the chance to make a large profit at the expense of others is acceptable.

I wonder how many more losses this area will have to endure during the next ten years and beyond?

Cllr Chris Morgan,

Member for Quantock Vale Ward,

West Somerset Council.